The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has formally partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to launch the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0). This collaboration is a significant step in the renewed efforts to tackle widespread youth unemployment and forge a stronger connection between the country’s education system and the demands of the labour market.
The flagship programme, which is an initiative of the federal government supported by the European Union, was set to be officially launched by Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the State House in Abuja. Its primary objective is to bridge the skills gap by offering young graduates a 12-month, fully paid work placement across various sectors, including private companies, public institutions, and non-governmental organisations.
NECA’s Director General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, confirmed the partnership, which was solidified following a recent strategy meeting with the UNDP team. The association is set to play a central role, leveraging its extensive network to connect employers with the growing pool of trained graduates.
A major focus of the partnership is to ensure the successful placement of 20,000 fellows with employers. NECA will co-lead a large-scale Job Fair, held as a side event to the official launch, bringing together major companies from key sectors to interact with the NJFP Fellows and explore immediate placement opportunities.
Beyond direct placements, the association will also provide crucial industry insights to the NJFP team. This will include advising on aligning the programme’s training modules with specific, in-demand skills and offering foresight on future skills and labour market trends. The goal is to ensure that the young fellows remain relevant and competitive in Nigeria’s evolving world of work.
Under the NJFP, each successful Fellow will receive a ₦150,000 monthly stipend, which is fully funded by the programme, alongside essential mentorship and market-oriented training. The programme is designed to enhance their workplace readiness before it is eventually handed over to the Federal Government for full continuation in 2027. This collaboration between industry and international development signals a serious, concerted effort to create a more job-ready generation of Nigerian graduates.
