The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme have reaffirmed their support for Nigeria’s workforce development initiatives, saying skills development is key to tackling unemployment and underemployment in the country.
- +EU, UNDP back Nigeria’s drive to close youth skills gap
They restated the commitment at the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0) Employers Forum held in Lagos on Friday.
They restated the commitment at the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0) Employers Forum held in Lagos on Friday.
A statement issued on Saturday by UNDP said the forum brought together private sector organisations, government officials and development partners to strengthen youth employment opportunities.
The NJFP is a Federal Government initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP.
Speaking at the event, Head of Section, Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz, said the EU remained committed to supporting programmes that link young graduates to work opportunities.
“The European Union is proud to support initiatives like NJFP that deliver tangible results for young people and for businesses.
“By equipping graduates with relevant skills and connecting them to real workplace opportunities, we are not only addressing unemployment, but we are also strengthening the foundations for sustainable economic growth,” the statement quoted her as saying.
UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, said sustained partnerships were critical to driving inclusive economic development.
She said the programme was not only about job placements but also about building long-term collaboration between talent development and enterprise growth.
“The participation of major employers, MSMEs, industry associations, financial institutions, technology firms, manufacturers, agribusinesses, and innovation ecosystem actors here today sends a strong signal that workforce transformation is increasingly being recognised as a shared national responsibility and a shared economic opportunity,” she said.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also commended the initiative, describing it as a direct investment in Nigeria’s human capital.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Chairman of the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Boladele Dapo-Thomas, praised the EU and UNDP for their support for youth employment programmes.
He also urged private sector participation in creating opportunities for young Nigerians.
