Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme Secures Private Sector Commitments to Strengthen National Workforce at Employers Forum

The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) has convened leading private sector organisations, government representatives, and development partners at the NJFP 2.0 Employers’ Forum in Lagos, catalysing renewed commitments to strengthening Nigeria’s workforce pipeline and accelerating youth employment. The Forum, themed, “Building a National Workforce for the Future,” brought together forward-thinking employers to engage directly with pre-screened NJFP Fellows and Alumni, explore talent opportunities, and commit to hosting fellows in the current programme cycle – NJFP 2.0.

The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The programme aims to address the rising rate of unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria by connecting talented Nigerian graduates with local opportunities in host organizations for 12 months, providing them with hands-on training, skills development, coaching, and mentoring.

Nigeria continues to face a critical workforce transition challenge, with over 600,000 graduates entering the labour market annually, while many employers report persistent gaps in work readiness. The Forum provided a platform to address this disconnect through structured dialogues and collaboration between the public and private sectors. Delivering remarks at the Forum on behalf of His Excellency Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas, Chairman, Lagos State Civil Service Commission highlighted the government’s commitment to youth employment and private sector collaboration. She stated that, “I commend the European Union for its sustained funding and its commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation. I equally commend UNDP Nigeria for the excellence of its implementation and applaud every employer in this forum today.

Your presence here is not ceremonial, it is an act of patriotism. By hosting fellows, offering mentorship and opening your organisations to Nigeria’s graduates, you are making a direct investment in the human capital that will power this nation’s next chapter”. Since its launch in 2021, NJFP has placed over 21,000 graduates across more than 4,900 host organisations nationwide, significantly reducing the average time it takes young Nigerians to transition into employment. Fellows undergo structured workplace readiness training and are deployed across key sectors including financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, and agribusiness. In her remarks, Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section Green and Digital Economy at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, reaffirmed the EU’s support for Nigeria’s workforce development efforts.

She stated that “The European Union is proud to support initiatives like NJFP that deliver tangible results for young people and for businesses. By equipping graduates with relevant skills and connecting them to real workplace opportunities, we are not only addressing unemployment, but we are also strengthening the foundations for sustainable economic growth.

” The Forum featured a range of high-impact sessions including an accountability presentation on NJFP performance, employer and Fellow engagements, sector-focused discussions, employer recognition ceremony, and a Fellows and Alumni Fireside Chat where participants shared firsthand experiences of growth and contribution within host organisations. Employers also participated in a structured commitment segment, signalling their intent to host fellows and expand participation across priority sectors.

Speaking at the event, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, emphasised the importance of sustained partnerships in driving inclusive economic growth. “This Employers’ Forum is therefore important not only because of the commitments it seeks to mobilize for NJFP placements, but because it represents a broader platform for strengthening long-term partnership between talent development, enterprise growth, and economic transformation in Nigeria.

The participation of major employers, MSMEs, industry associations, financial institutions, technology firms, manufacturers, agribusinesses, and innovation ecosystem actors here today sends a strong signal that workforce transformation is increasingly being recognized as a shared national responsibility and a shared economic opportunity.” The NJFP 2.0 Employers’ Forum marks a significant step in advancing a more coordinated, demand-driven approach to graduate employment in Nigeria.

By bringing employers into the centre of workforce development, the programme continues to strengthen its role as a national platform for talent placement and productivity growth. Organisations that were unable to attend the Forum are encouraged to sign up on the website – www.njfp.ng to participate in the programme and contribute to building a stronger, work-ready workforce for Nigeria.