The Federal Government has unveiled a $220 million employment initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment and expanding job opportunities for young Nigerians.

The programme, known as the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme 2.0, seeks to empower graduates through structured work placements, skills development, and mentorship.

Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the launch on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He noted that the initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme, as part of a broader strategy to equip young Nigerians with the tools needed to thrive in today’s workforce.

READ ALSO:FG To Disburse ₦6.3bn Interest-free Loans To 21,000 Flood Victims

According to him, the programme is designed to connect high-potential graduates with practical work experience, training, and mentorship, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the job market.

Shettima described the initiative as a strategic step towards addressing the unemployment crisis among Nigerian youths, stressing that the government is committed to empowering a generation capable of driving innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth.

“Our goal is to bridge the transition gap between learning and earning for thousands of young Nigerians, graduates who have the education, but not always the opportunity,” the Vice President stated.

He added that the NJFP 2.0 builds on the success of the first phase, which provided paid work placements and mentorship opportunities for several young professionals across public and private sectors.

READ ALSO:FG Approves New NYSC Mandatory Regulations

“The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme represents hope, hope that no young person will be left behind because of a lack of opportunity,” Shettima said.

“It is our pledge to build a nation where talent meets purpose, and where learning translates into livelihood,” he added.

The Vice President commended the EU and UNDP for their continued partnership in advancing youth empowerment and national development, adding that the collaboration reflects a shared vision of creating inclusive economic opportunities for Africa’s largest youth population.

Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the NJFP 2.0 as a continuation of the Federal Government’s success in youth empowerment.

READ ALSO:I Apologise For Mutilating You, Let’s Reconcile, Former FGM Tells Estranged Daughter

He noted that since the programme began in 2021, it has helped over 13,000 youths to gain skills.

The minister assured that the initiative will build on its progress and achieve its long-term goal of placing 100,000 youths in jobs within five years.

The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attafuah, said the generous funding from the EU and implementation support from the UNDP, over the years, are aimed at connecting potential to opportunity.

She noted that the vision behind the NJFP has come to light, resulting in over 40,000 Nigerians being placed in various economic sectors.

She stressed that millions of Nigerians need the NJFP platform to thrive in today’s economy.

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, said the EU was looking forward to seeing the NJFP 2.0 programme integrated into Nigeria’s governance agenda to ensure its sustainability

President Bola Tinubu has approved a two-year tenure extension for the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr. AbuduGaniyu Adebomehin.

The move is aimed at consolidating ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s geospatial data systems and national land administration, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement released on Wednesday.

The extension will take effect from January 5, 2026, and follows the recent transfer of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation to the Presidency.

The transfer places geospatial intelligence and national surveying operations directly under the executive arm.

READ ALSO:Brigadier-General, Other Officers Detained Over Alleged Coup Plot To Overthrow President Tinubu

Adebomehin’s two-year extension will see him serve until January 2028.

According to Onanuga, “The President expects Mr Adebomehin to consolidate the reforms within the next two years, focusing on national land management and administration, highways and abutting land infrastructure coordination, reclamation and erosion control programmes, and other related matters of strategic national importance.”

Adebomehin was appointed the Surveyor-General of the Federation by the late President Muhammadu Buhari, effective January 5, 2022.

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has announced plans to employ 3,000 teachers in the state.

This was contained in a statement released by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Wednesday.

Okpebholo supervised the handing out of letters of employment to 5,000 teachers in the state last Wednesday.

The teachers, who for years were on contract with a monthly stipend of ₦65,000 during the administration of Godwin Obaseki, were formally handed appointment letters during a ceremony held at Government House.

The governor emphasised the significance of the occasion and the government’s commitment to valuing its educators.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo’s Eight-year Tenure Non-negotiable, Says Commissioner

In appreciation of the governor’s kind gesture, the Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers were at the government house on Tuesday, where it conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award on the governor by Edo in recognition of his exceptional reforms and commitment to repositioning the state’s education sector.

The award was presented by NUT State Chairman, Bernard Ajobiewe, in the company of the Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Edo State chapter, Comrade Bernard Egwahide.

In return, the governor announced plans to recruit an additional 3,000 teachers to strengthen teaching capacity and improve learning outcomes across public schools in the state.

Okpebholo expressed deep appreciation to Edo teachers for their diligence and patriotism in shaping the future of the State.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education as the cornerstone of human development.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Believes In Courage, Capacity Says Edo Poly Rector

“Teachers remain a top priority in our development agenda and the state has finalised plans to employ 3000 additional teachers.

“We are building and renovating schools across Edo, and as infrastructure improves, so must manpower. Our goal is to ensure that no school lacks qualified teachers and that every child receives quality education in a conducive learning environment,” the governor said.

Okpebholo emphasised that his administration had put an end to the era of overcrowded classrooms and combined classes that once defined Edo’s public schools, noting that the new education reforms have already restored public confidence in the system.

He also reiterated that his government would not engage in political witch-hunts, but would allow performance and public perception to judge the actions of the previous administration.

“If the last administration had performed well, the Edo people would have felt it. We are focused on rebuilding the system and restoring pride in our schools. My administration is committed to results, not rhetoric,” Okpebholo stated.

READ ALSO:World Habitat Day: Okpebholo Commends Building Control Agency For Developmental Milestones

The governor further assured continued collaboration with labour unions to sustain industrial harmony and drive collective progress.

He pledged to donate a bus to the NUT to facilitate its statewide operations and monitoring activities across Edo’s 18 local government areas.

“We will continue to maintain a strong working relationship with the NUT and all labour unions. The welfare of teachers remains the heart of our education reforms,” he added.

In his remarks, Ajobiewe commended the governor for regularising the employment of over 5,000 Edo-Star teachers, who had remained contract staff for more than three years under the previous administration.

“In less than a year, our story as teachers has changed from frustration to fulfilment. Governor Okpebholo has not only restored dignity to the teaching profession but has rekindled hope in public education. His actions demonstrate true leadership and empathy,” Ajobiewe said.

Similarly, Egwahide praised the governor’s people-oriented leadership and promised the union’s continued support for his administration.

“We are grateful to a governor who listens, acts, and delivers. The workers of Edo State will stand by you as you continue to transform our education sector and fulfil your promises,” he affirmed.