Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme Secures Private Sector Commitments To Strengthen National Workforce At Employers Forum

The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) has convened leading private sector organisations, government representatives, and development partners at the NJFP 2.0 Employers’ Forum in Lagos, catalysing renewed commitments to strengthening Nigeria’s workforce pipeline and accelerating youth employment.

The Forum, themed, “Building a National Workforce for the Future,” brought together forward-thinking employers to engage directly with pre-screened NJFP Fellows and Alumni, explore talent opportunities, and commit to hosting fellows in the current programme cycle – NJFP 2.0.

The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The programme aims to address the rising rate of unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria by connecting talented Nigerian graduates with local opportunities in host organizations for 12 months, providing them with hands-on training, skills development, coaching, and mentoring.

Nigeria continues to face a critical workforce transition challenge, with over 600,000 graduates entering the labour market annually, while many employers report persistent gaps in work readiness.

The Forum provided a platform to address this disconnect through structured dialogues and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Delivering remarks at the Forum on behalf of Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas, Chairman, Lagos State Civil Service Commission highlighted the government’s commitment to youth employment and private sector collaboration.

She stated that, “I commend the European Union for its sustained funding and its commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation. I equally commend UNDP Nigeria for the excellence of its implementation and applaud every employer in this forum today. Your presence here is not ceremonial, it is an act of patriotism. By hosting fellows, offering mentorship and opening your organisations to Nigeria’s graduates, you are making a direct investment in the human capital that will power this nation’s next chapter”.

Since its launch in 2021, NJFP has placed over 21,000 graduates across more than 4,900 host organisations nationwide, significantly reducing the average time it takes young Nigerians to transition into employment. Fellows undergo structured workplace readiness training and are deployed across key sectors including financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, and agribusiness.