By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) has intensified efforts to bridge the gap between young graduates and employers through an engagement session involving host organisations, government officials and fellows in Nasarawa State.
The NJFP 2.0 Nasarawa Employer and Fellow Engagement, held at the headquarters of the Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA) in Lafia, brought together key stakeholders to strengthen workforce development and accelerate fellowship placements across the state.
The programme, an initiative of the Federal Government funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), seeks to address youth unemployment and underemployment by connecting graduates with structured workplace opportunities.
Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Akubo Adegbe, said Nigeria’s challenge was not a shortage of talent but a shortage of opportunities for young people to demonstrate their capabilities.
According to him, many young Nigerians possess the creativity, intelligence and determination needed to succeed but often lack access to workplace experience, professional networks and mentorship required to advance their careers.
Adegbe noted that programmes such as NJFP help close that gap by creating pathways for young graduates to gain practical experience while contributing to national economic growth and development.
Head of the Inclusive Growth Unit at UNDP Nigeria and NJFP Programme Lead, Clare Henshaw, said the engagement was designed to connect employers directly with talented fellows and create opportunities for placements, mentorship and professional growth.
She explained that strengthening collaboration between employers and young professionals would help organisations meet workforce needs while ensuring graduates gain meaningful employment opportunities and workplace skills.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Nasarawa State Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency (NASITDEA), Haruna Sani Sani, praised the contributions of fellows deployed to public institutions, describing them as innovative, professional and highly skilled individuals who have added value to government operations.
The engagement featured programme updates, interviews and matching sessions across sectors including agriculture, technology, education, healthcare, engineering, business and the creative industry, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the initiative would further strengthen workforce development and youth employment in Nasarawa State.
