The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), is providing selected young Nigerian graduates with a monthly stipend of N150,000 for 12 months as part of efforts to improve employability and address graduate unemployment across the country.
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The programme, which is coordinated by the Office of the Vice President and funded by the European Union (EU), is currently in its second phase and aims to place 23,724 young graduates in organisations across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking during an Employer and Fellow Engagement held in Lafia, Nasarawa State, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination in the Office of the Vice President and Focal Person for the implementation of NJFP, Akubo Adegbe, said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and workplace experience.
According to him, many Nigerian graduates struggle to secure employment because employers often demand practical work experience, creating a cycle that leaves qualified young people unable to enter the workforce.
Adegbe said the Federal Government views the challenge as an opportunity gap rather than a talent gap, noting that many Nigerian graduates possess the knowledge and potential needed by employers but lack access to opportunities where they can demonstrate their abilities.
“The programme is designed to give young people the opportunity to work for 12 months, earn a monthly stipend of N150,000 and acquire the skills needed to remain employable,” he said.
Under the programme, fellows are attached to host organisations where they receive hands-on workplace experience, mentorship and professional development support. The stipend is paid entirely by the UNDP, meaning participating organisations are not required to cover the salaries of the fellows during the placement period.
The arrangement is intended to benefit both graduates and employers. While young professionals gain practical experience and industry exposure, organisations gain access to trained talent without immediate salary obligations.
Adegbe explained that NJFP was not simply a federal initiative seeking participation from states but a national workforce development intervention designed to strengthen the country’s talent pipeline and support economic growth.
He said the Federal Government intends to sustain the programme and deploy at least 20,000 fellows annually in future cycles.
To support long-term continuity, he disclosed that plans are underway to establish a National Basket Fund that will draw contributions from the Federal Government, development partners and sub-national governments.
Further details about the fellowship were provided by Yomi Olufiade, Project Lead at Talent Management Company (TMC) for the North Central Region under NJFP.
According to Olufiade, all selected fellows receive the N150,000 monthly stipend throughout their one-year placement period. Beyond the financial support, participants also receive opportunities for digital skills development, entrepreneurship training and talent management support.
He explained that the programme is open to Nigerian graduates who are under 30 years old, graduated in 2022 or later, possess a minimum of a Second Class Lower university degree or an Upper Credit Higher National Diploma (HND), and have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme or obtained official exemption.
Applicants are also required to pass multiple stages of assessment, including aptitude tests, video assessments and psychometric evaluations before being admitted into the fellowship talent pool.
Olufiade noted that competition for available slots remains high due to the large number of applications received nationwide.
The programme has already recorded significant investment in participating states. In Nasarawa State alone, Olufiade said approximately N344.66 million has been paid out as stipends to fellows since implementation began.
He revealed that 423 fellows have already been placed across organisations in the state, while another 185 fellows are awaiting placement opportunities.
A total of 86 organisations have been engaged under the programme in Nasarawa, with 64 actively hosting fellows.
Host organisations are expected to provide meaningful workplace assignments, mentorship, supervision and conducive working environments. They are also required to certify attendance monthly to support the administration of the programme.
To improve long-term employment outcomes, NJFP has also established an Alumni Talent Hub. The platform allows employers to recruit former fellows who have demonstrated strong performance during their placements, creating an additional pathway to permanent employment after the fellowship period ends.
Stakeholders at the engagement session described the programme as a practical intervention for tackling graduate unemployment.
The Director-General of the Nasarawa State Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency (NASITDEA), Haruna Sani, said the initiative was creating valuable opportunities for young people and helping them gain experience that could improve their future career prospects.
Similarly, Nasarawa State NJFP Focal Person, Imam Rabiu-Mabudi, described the fellowship as a life-changing opportunity capable of reducing unemployment among graduates while improving workforce readiness.
Beneficiaries of the programme also highlighted the impact of the initiative, stating that it had enabled them to develop professional skills, gain workplace exposure and contribute meaningfully within their host organisations.
As the second phase progresses, the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme remains one of the largest graduate employability initiatives in the country, with thousands of young Nigerians receiving N150,000 monthly stipends alongside structured workplace experience designed to improve their chances of securing long-term employment.
