The Nigerian Government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme have concluded plans to begin a one-year job training fellowship targeting 20,000 for Nigerian graduates annually.
Private sector partners of the programme include, BUA, Dangote, VISA Nigeria, Outsource Global, GE Gas and Power, Lafarge Africa, SecureID, Microsoft, among others.
According to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo while making the announcement on Wednesday, the initiative - tagged ‘Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) - will create internship opportunities for young Nigerians who have recently concluded the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.
He noted that the fully-paid internships will last for 12 months and will be in reputable private and public sector organisations across the country.
While noting that the one-year fellowship programme will be launched by President Muhammadu Buhari “very shortly,” Osinbajo noted that the NJFP will rewrite the narrative as it relates to jobs, skills and employment in Nigeria.
More opportunities for Nigeria's youthful population
“We are resolute in our determination to make the needed difference, and rebuild the confidence of our young people in the ability of their government to rise up to the occasion and guarantee a future that is better and more prosperous than the past,” Osinbajo said.
“Our ongoing efforts include the N-Power Scheme, which recruits young graduates and places them in agricultural, health and education intervention schemes in local communities around the country. N-Power also has a non-graduate scheme focused on technical skills and IT education.
“The President has approved the expansion of the N-Power programme from 500,000 beneficiaries to one million this year.
“We have also established a N75 billion youth fund in the Ministry of Youth and Sports to provide credit and support for young entrepreneurs and professionals.
Projected Impact of the NJFP
Stating the support of the United Nations for the programme, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Systems in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, said the launch and eventual implementation of the scheme would redefine the future of Nigeria.
According to him, “having a population of 41 million young people constituting 30% of the youth population in Africa, empowering young Nigerians will be key in the actualisation of a better future for Africa.”
His words: “the Jubilee Fellows Programme will champion homegrown Nigerian talent and opportunities. It will connect inspiring young Nigerians with local opportunities that will apply their expertise, while equipping them with world class practical knowledge.
“The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme will bridge the gap between graduates and industry. Through this programme, private sector entities, startups and key public sector institutions will be connected directly to graduates to find the best young talent that Nigeria has to offer. Graduates will be able to to better understand the needs, challenges and realities that industries broadly face, and learn how best to contribute to address them.”
Commending the leadership provided by the VP, Mr Kallon said “what you are supporting today will lead to a bright future for Nigeria, and will outlive your administration. If there is a viable investment development partners will make in Nigeria, this is the one that is dearest to them and in which they will surely support.”
Sponsors of the NJFP
Nigeria’s unemployment rate as of the end of 2020 rose to 33.3% from 27.1% recorded as of Q2 2020, indicating that about 23,187,389 (23.2 million) Nigerians remain unemployed.
When launched, the NJFP scheme would help reduce the rate of unemployment, particularly among young people who constitute 30% of the youth population in Africa.
