Abuja, Nigeria - October 22, 2025 FG to Invest $220m on Job Creation – Shettima By Salisu Sani-Idris The Federal Government has concluded plans to invest 220 million dollars in creating employment opportunities for young Nigerians. Vice-President Kashim Shettima stated this while inaugurating the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The initiative, spearheaded in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), marks the second phase of the NJFP. It aims to connect high-potential graduates with real-world work experience, training, and mentorship. “This government will do its part — by ensuring that our financial commitment to the programme reflects our belief in its transformative potential. “But national ownership must also mean national participation. As we launch NJFP 2.0 today, I call on our partners — from the private sector, the development community, and the donor ecosystem — to join us in building the NJFP Basket Fund, a sustainable financing mechanism to secure the programme’s future. “Our immediate goal is to raise 220 million dollars, not as charity, but as an investment in the nation’s most valuable asset: our young people.” Shettima urged the EU, the UNDP and other partners to consider the programme’s flag-off as an opportunity to prove that “youth employment is not just a policy priority but a shared responsibility.” He commended the EU and UNDP for their support, saying their belief in Nigerian youths demonstrates the power of collaboration. “As we scale NJFP 2.0, inclusivity remains at the heart of our design. We recognise that our young people are not a single story. They live in different realities, across regions, genders, and social backgrounds. “Therefore, this next phase will intentionally reach every corner of the country, aligning placements with the sectors that will define our economic future: agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and the creative industries.” Shettima expressed optimism that the second phase of the programme would become a success story of how Nigeria turned its demographic advantage into a generation of productive citizens. “It will create jobs, build enterprises, and shape the future of our great nation. The task before us is both serious and inspiring. “The young Nigerians we seek to serve are not asking for handouts — only for a fair system that recognises effort, rewards merit, and provides opportunity. They are ready to build if we are ready to back them,” he added. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the NJFP 2.0 as a continuation of the government’s success in youth empowerment. He said since the programme began in 2021, it has helped over 13,000 youths acquire relevant skills. The UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attafuah, said the generous funding from the EU and UNDP support aimed to connect potential to opportunity. She said the NJFP vision had come to life, resulting in more than 40,000 Nigerians being placed in various economic sectors. The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, said the EU looked forward to the integration of NJFP 2.0 into Nigeria’s governance agenda to ensure sustainability.