By joshua KOGI GOVT PLEDGES FULL BACKING FOR NJFP 2.0 TO BOOST YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme 2.0, promising full administrative support to ensure the 12-month paid fellowship delivers tangible impact for youth employment in the state.
Secretary to the Government, Dr. Folashade Ayoade, gave the assurance on behalf of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo at the NJFP 2.0 Employers & Fellows Engagement held Thursday in Lokoja. She described the Ododo administration as “an unwavering pillar of support for initiatives that turn human capital into economic value.”
Ayoade said NJFP 2.0 addresses the common dilemma of “needing experience to get a job, but needing a job to get experience.” Fellows for this cohort must hold a minimum of Second Class Lower or Upper Credit HND and must have completed NYSC from 2022.
She urged host employers to treat fellows as “assets for organizational transformation” rather than cheap labour, and challenged them to nurture talent, inject innovation, and contribute to Kogi’s economic growth. To the fellows, her advice was direct: “A degree gets you through the door, but character keeps you in the room.”
The SSG also appreciated the Federal Government, European Union, and UNDP for partnering on the programme, while reaffirming the state’s focus on skills acquisition, ease of doing business, and digital literacy as tools for youth empowerment.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Monday Anyebe, encouraged young people to embrace the programme to build skills, gain work experience, and access mentorship after graduation.
Mr. Yomi Olufiade, Project Lead of North Central Talent Management Company, said NJFP is a Federal Government initiative funded by the EU and implemented by UNDP. Since 2021, he noted, the programme has linked thousands of graduates to structured workplace opportunities, coaching, and professional development.
UNDP Impact Monitoring and Learning Lead, Chiedu Nwokolo, highlighted NJFP’s growing impact and called on more Kogi employers to participate. Mr. Akubo Adegbe, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, added that the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda by expanding access to opportunity and building a workforce for economic growth.
The engagement brought together Kogi-based employers, young professionals, and government officials to strengthen partnerships and expand workforce opportunities. Fellows gained direct access to employers and insights on workplace expectations, while host organizations welcomed pre-screened, workplace-ready talent and emphasized professionalism, adaptability, and performance.
As NJFP 2.0 expands nationwide, state-level engagements like Kogi’s are strengthening local workforce ecosystems and connecting more young Nigerians to meaningful employment opportunities.