The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to roll out the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0.
The revamped initiative, which builds on lessons from its first phase, seeks to equip Nigerian graduates with practical industry experience and employability skills. The programme will eventually be handed over to the Federal Government in 2027 for sustained implementation.
According to NECA’s Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, the collaboration follows a strategic meeting between NECA and the UNDP–NJFP team where both sides agreed on actionable plans to ensure stronger private sector participation and impact in this new phase.
“NECA will play a central role in connecting employers with the growing pool of trained fellows by co-leading a Job Fair scheduled as a side event during the programme’s launch,” Oyerinde said. “The fair will bring together major sector employers to interact with fellows and explore placement opportunities.”
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The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), supported by the European Union, was originally designed to bridge the gap between graduates and the labour market. It provides 12-month fully paid work placements across private, public, and development sectors. Each fellow receives a ₦150,000 monthly stipend, mentorship, and career development training to enhance workplace readiness.
While the first phase—NJFP 1.0—achieved measurable success, it struggled to scale sustainably. The redesigned NJFP 2.0 aims to strengthen long-term employability through deeper industry collaboration, improved data-driven training, and structured mentoring systems.
Oyerinde revealed that NECA plans to facilitate the recruitment and placement of 20,000 fellows, leveraging its vast employer network to ensure robust sector participation. The association will also advise the NJFP team on aligning training with emerging labour market demands and future skills trends.
He added that NECA would support the programme by providing real-time data on industry skills gaps, championing policy advocacy, and promoting a sustainable, industry-led training framework to keep Nigerian graduates relevant in a rapidly evolving job market.
Employers, UNDP Partner to Boost Graduate Employability — a timely intervention that positions Nigeria’s youth at the forefront of national productivity and innovation.
