President Muhammadu Buhari would launch a 12-month job fellowship for 20, 000 graduates every year in addition to employment opportunities created through the Economic Sustainability Plan and job schemes being implemented under the Social Investment Programme, among others.
The fellowship, called Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP). is a collaboration between the administration and the United Nations Development Programme and other private sector partners.
Private sector partners of the programme include BUA, Dangote, VISA Nigeria, Outsource Global, GE Gas and Power, Lafarge Africa, SecureID, Microsoft, among others.
A statement by Mr Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity Office of the Vice President, said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the formal announcement on Wednesday.
According to the Vice President “we are looking forward to the President formally launching the programme very shortly.”
He said that “as we prepare for the formal launch of the programme by Mr President, I urge private sector leaders and captains of industry, development partners and the diplomatic community, to support this programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with skills and experience required for the work place.”
Under the initiative, internship opportunities will be created for young Nigerians who have recently concluded the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. The fully-paid internships will last for 12 months and will be in reputable private and public sector organizations across the country.
Mr Osinbajo said the NJFP “is in very good company, a new and bold addition to an existing suite of large-scale, big-impact programmes that will rewrite the narrative as it relates to jobs, skills and employment in Nigeria.”
According to the VP, “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 to the occasion and guarantee a future that is better and more prosperous than the past.”
“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.”
Mr Osinbajo added that there is also the $500 million African Development Bank Technology and Innovation Fund which the AFDB’s Ag. Senior Director, Lamin Barrow, also mentioned at the event.
Stating the support of the United Nations for the programme, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Systems in Nigeria, 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 talents and opportunities. It will connect inspiring young Nigerians with local opportunities that will apply their expertise, while equipping them with world-class practical knowledge.
On his part, the representative of the EU at the event, Ketil Karlsen, pledged the support of the organization for the programme, affirming the EU’s confidence in the Nigerian youth.
