Employers commit to youth hiring at NJFP Lagos forum

The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) has secured fresh commitments from private sector employers to support youth employment and workforce development following its Employers’ Forum held in Lagos.

The forum, themed “Building a National Workforce for the Future,” brought together leading companies, government officials and development partners to strengthen collaboration on graduate employment and skills development.

The programme—an initiative of the Federal Government, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme—aims to tackle unemployment by connecting young graduates with one-year placements in host organisations.

Speaking on behalf of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Chairman of the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Boladele Dapo-Thomas, praised stakeholders for their role in advancing youth employment.

She described employer participation as a direct investment in Nigeria’s human capital, commending the European Union and UNDP for supporting the initiative.

Since its launch in 2021, the programme has placed more than 21,000 graduates in over 4,900 organisations nationwide, helping to bridge the gap between academic training and workplace readiness.

Officials noted that Nigeria faces a growing labour market challenge, with over 600,000 graduates entering the workforce annually, while many employers continue to report a shortage of job-ready skills.

Also speaking, Inga Stefanowicz of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to initiatives that equip young people with practical skills and drive economic growth.

UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships between government and the private sector, noting that workforce development is a shared national responsibility.

The forum featured panel discussions, employer engagement sessions, and a recognition ceremony, as well as a fireside chat with programme fellows and alumni who shared their experiences.

Organisers said the NJFP 2.0 Employers’ Forum represents a step toward a more coordinated, demand-driven approach to job creation, urging more organisations to participate in the initiative to help build a skilled and competitive workforce.