Vice President Kashim Shettima, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the United Nations Development Programme, the European Union and private sector stakeholders have renewed calls for stronger collaboration to tackle rising unemployment and underemployment among Nigerian youths.
The stakeholders made the call during the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 Employers’ Forum held in Lagos, where government officials, development partners and leading employers explored strategies aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s workforce pipeline and expanding employment opportunities for young graduates.
The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme is an initiative of the Federal Government funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP to bridge the gap between tertiary education and the labour market through workplace experience and mentorship opportunities for young Nigerians.
Shettima was represented at the event by Akubo Adegbe, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Office of the Vice President.
Speaking at the forum, Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by Chairman of the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Boladele Dapo-Thomas, reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to youth empowerment and partnerships with the private sector to boost employment generation.
He praised the European Union for its continued support towards Nigeria’s socio-economic development and described the initiative as a strategic investment in the country’s human capital development.
“I commend the European Union for its sustained funding and commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation. I equally commend UNDP Nigeria for the excellence of its implementation and applaud every employer present here today.
“By hosting fellows, offering mentorship and opening your organisations to Nigerian graduates, you are making a direct investment in the human capital that will power the nation’s next phase of growth,” he said.
Also speaking, Inga Stefanowicz reaffirmed the European Union’s support for programmes focused on workforce development and youth employability.
