FG To Invest $220m In Creating Job Opportunities For Young Nigerians

*We’re bridging transition gap between learning and earning for thousands of graduates, says VP Shettima

By: Our Reporter

The Nigerian government has concluded plans to invest $220 million in creating employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

The initiative is to be spearheaded in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 aimed at connecting high-potential graduates with real-world work experience, training, and mentorship.

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who disclosed on Wednesday when he formally flagged off the NJFP at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the goal is “to bridge the transition gap between learning and earning for thousands of young Nigerians; graduates who have the education, but not always the opportunity.”

According to him, this will translate the nation’s demographic strength “into productive economic power, proving that when government provides structure, partnership, and purpose, young Nigerians rise to the occasion.”

The VP noted that while the NJFP is a Nigerian programme shaped by national priorities and guided by the nation’s sense of purpose, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to deepen the ownership by embedding the programme into government’s national planning and budgeting frameworks.

He stated: “This government will do its part — by ensuring that our financial commitment to the programme reflects our belief in its transformative potential. But national ownership must also mean national participation.

“As we launch NJFP 2.0 today, I call on our partners — from the private sector, the development community, and the donor ecosystem — to join us in building the NJFP Basket Fund, a sustainable financing mechanism to secure the programme’s future.

“Our immediate goal is to raise $220 million, not as charity, but as an investment in the nation’s most valuable asset: our young people.”

VP Shettima implored the EU, the UNDP and other partners to consider the flag-off of the programme as an opportunity to prove that “youth employment is not just a policy priority but a shared responsibility.”

He observed that when resources are pooled and intentions are aligned in the course of building together, a multiplier effect is created that benefits the nation’s economy.

The Vice President acknowledged the contributions of the EU and the UNDP, noting that their belief in Nigeria’s youth has demonstrated what could be achieved through collaboration.

He said it was now time for Nigeria, through its public institutions, private sector champions, and philanthropic community to lead from the front, even as he maintained that inclusivity is key to driving the process.

His words: “As we scale NJFP 2.0, inclusivity remains at the heart of our design. We recognise that our young people are not a single story. They live in different realities, across regions, genders, and social backgrounds.

“Therefore, this next phase will intentionally reach every corner of the country, aligning placements with the sectors that will define our economic future: agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and the creative industries.”

Senator Shettima expressed hope that the second phase of the NJFP would turn out to be a success story “of how Nigeria turned its demographic advantage into a generation of productive citizens — creating jobs, building enterprises, and shaping the future of our great nation.

“The task before us is both serious and inspiring. The young Nigerians we seek to serve are not asking for handouts — only for a fair system that recognises effort, rewards merit, and provides opportunity. They are ready to build if we are ready to back them,” he added.

For his part, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described the NJFP 2.0 as a continuation of the federal government’s success in youth empowerment.

He noted that since the programme began in 2021, it has helped over 13,000 youths to gain skills, assuring that the initiative will build on its progress and achieve its long-term goal of placing 100,000 youths in jobs within five years.

In her welcome address, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, said the generous funding from the European Union and implementation support from the UNDP, over the years, are aimed at connecting potential to opportunity.

She noted that the vision behind the NJFP has come to light, resulting in over 40,000 Nigerians being placed in various economic sectors.

She stressed that millions of Nigerians need the NJFP platform to thrive in today’s economy.

Also, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, said the EU was looking forward to seeing the NJFP 2.0 programme integrated into Nigeria’s governance agenda to ensure its sustainability.

Delivering the keynote address titled “Building a National Workforce for the Future,” the CEO of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, emphasized that millions of Nigerians can perform the jobs currently being outsourced to foreign companies if they are given the right opportunities, such as those provided under the NJFP programme.

He urged relevant authorities and stakeholders not to ignore the millions of Nigerians who, without support, may never transition from graduates to gainful employment.

FG To Invest $220m In Creating Job Opportunities For Young Nigerians

CAIDOV Calls on NBA to Take Action Against Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, Over Professional Misconduct

By: Michael Mike

The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take immediate disciplinary action against Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, for alleged professional misconduct relating to his participation in the recent “Free Nnamdi Kanu” protest in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the group’s Executive Director, Comrade Gbenga Soloki, CAIDOV condemned the lawyer’s appearance and participation at the protest ground, describing it as a clear breach of professional ethics and a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) for Legal Practitioners 2023, particularly Rule 33, which deals with sub judice statements.

Soloki said, according to the rule: “A lawyer or law firm engaged in or associated with the prosecution or defence of a criminal matter, or associated with a civil action shall not, while litigation is anticipated or pending in the matter, make or participate in making any extra-judicial statement that is calculated to prejudice or interfere with, or is reasonably capable of prejudicing or interfering with, the fair trial of the matter or the judgment or sentence.”

He stated that by joining a public protest concerning a case he is directly handling, Ejimakor acted in a manner that could influence public perception and potentially compromise the impartiality of the court.

“The law expects that lawyers argue their cases in court, not on the streets, in protest grounds, or on media platforms. Mr. Ejimakor’s participation in the protest is tantamount to trying to sway public opinion and, by extension, the court’s view on a matter still under adjudication,” he said in the statement.

He further emphasised that the legal profession demands discipline, restraint, and respect for judicial processes, warning that “emotions must never override ethics.”

“This act by Mr. Ejimakor amounts to professional misconduct. The law is not emotional, and every lawyer is bound by its standards, regardless of who their client is,” he added.

CAIDOV therefore urged the law enforcement agencies to investigate the lawyer’s actions to determine if his involvement in the protest constituted a breach of national security or contempt of court.

Similarly, the group called on the Nigerian Bar Association’s Disciplinary Committee to review Ejimakor’s conduct and impose appropriate sanctions to preserve the integrity and credibility of the legal profession.

“Mr. Ejimakor made a very big mistake by publicly protesting for a client in a case he is handling. The NBA must take swift disciplinary measures to send a clear message that professional ethics cannot be compromised,” the group said.

CAIDOV Calls on NBA to Take Action Against Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, Over Professional Misconduct

Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Climate Action and Just Energy Transition at Landmark Regional Conference

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has reaffirmed its leadership in tackling climate change, pledging bold action on climate resilience and a just energy transition.

At the opening of the inaugural WASCAL International Conference on Climate Change and Just Energy Transition

(I3C-JET), the Federal Government signaled its commitment to driving Africa’s clean energy future.

Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, emphasized that while Africa contributes the least to global carbon emissions, the continent is determined to lead through equity, innovation, and sustainable development.

Held in Abuja, the three-day conference brought together a wide array of participants from across Africa and beyond including policymakers, scientists, investors, civil society, youth, academia, and development partners.

In his address, Lawal highlighted the continent’s disproportionate exposure to climate impacts and stressed the urgency of locally driven solutions that are inclusive and equitable.

“The world is watching Africa. Even though we are not major contributors to global warming, our resolve to be part of the solution remains firm and inspiring. Africa is ever ready to serve as architects of a new energy paradigm built on equity and innovation,” he said.

He reiterated Nigeria’s ambitious climate and energy goals, noting that the country’s Energy Transition Plan serves as a guiding framework to reach net-zero emissions by 2060 while expanding energy access across communities.

“Nigeria’s commitment to a Just Transition is clear, deliberate, and rooted in our belief that no one should be left behind in the journey toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient future. Through a developed Energy Transition Plan, we aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 while ensuring universal access to modern energy by 2030.”

Lawal called on stakeholders present to move beyond rhetoric and push for real, scalable change.

“I urge us all to move beyond declarations to translate our shared vision into actionable frameworks that empower communities, protect livelihoods, and unlock the enormous opportunities of the green economy.”

The Minister further encouraged delegates to use the conference as a springboard for lasting partnerships and science-informed policies that drive real-world impact.

“Let us harness the wealth of knowledge, research, and innovation represented here to generate practical solutions and evidence-based strategies that will not only drive sustainable development but also enhance resilience across our communities.”

He praised WASCAL and the National Organizing Committee for convening the timely summit and stressed the importance of pan-African and global collaboration.

“Nigeria values WASCAL as a trusted partner in strengthening climate science capacity across West Africa. Together, we are building a foundation for a resilient and low-carbon future that speaks to our realities. I would like to seize this opportunity to call on all participants to use this conference as a platform to deepen dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and translate scientific research into actionable policies that will transform our societies and safeguard our shared future.”

Speaking in his capacity as Chairman of WASCAL’s Governing Board and Nigeria’s representative on the Board, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba echoed similar sentiments, describing Nigeria as a key trigger point for Africa’s climate solutions.

“We can therefore imagine that for Africa to shoot down her challenges, Africa’s gunshots have to be triggered here in Nigeria. In several ways, that is what this conference represents to trigger Africa’s scientific and intellectual communities, in alliance with her political leadership and global partners, for evidence-based responses to climate change and just energy transition.”

Prof. Nwajiuba highlighted the gap in African scientific contribution to global climate discourse and called on WASCAL to lead in closing that divide.

“It can be said that Africa’s scientific contributions should be more than is currently the case. If we look at the intercontinental contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it becomes clear that African scientists need to do more.

I also believe there is no better-positioned body than WASCAL to lead this charge. I therefore appeal to all stakeholders in and outside Africa to support WASCAL to drive Africa’s voice in global climate science.”

Referencing the dual threats of flooding and water scarcity in the region, Nwajiuba proposed a bold solution: re-channel floodwaters from the Niger and Benue rivers to help replenish the shrinking Lake Chad.

“We have dual challenges historically-supported reducing Lake Chad, and increased frequency of flooding. Sometimes I imagine, why can’t we arrest the floods on and around the Niger and Benue, and re-channel that into Lake Chad? Why indeed can’t we do that? These are the kinds of bold, science-backed ideas we must begin to seriously consider.”

He emphasized that the I3C-JET conference is more than just another event it is a call to action.

“That is also in line with the idea of this conference to trigger thought backed by science, to trigger evidence to engage policymakers, to trigger action to address current and future challenges.

WASCAL has committed to taking the outcomes of this conference beyond these rooms, and we hope to deliver policy and action briefs to our stakeholders, consistent with our third mandate, which is the provision of climate services.”he added.

Also addressing the gathering, WASCAL Executive Director, Prof. Emmanuel Ramde, reaffirmed the organization’s mission of advancing climate resilience through research, training, and regional cooperation.

“At WASCAL, our mission remains clear: to strengthen the resilience of West African countries against climate change through capacity building, research excellence, and climate services. Since our establishment, we have graduated over 700 Master’s and PhD holders, set up a world-class Competence Centre in Ouagadougou, and continue to drive regional climate services that empower communities, farmers, and governments to make informed choices.”

He emphasized the need for member countries to take ownership of the WASCAL agenda for long-term sustainability and impact.

“Despite our progress, we must acknowledge a growing need for greater ownership of WASCAL by its member countries. WASCAL belongs to West Africa—it is not just a programme; it is our shared legacy. Only through collective ownership, shared responsibility, and sustained investment by African governments can we ensure the long-term impact, sustainability, and autonomy of this vital institution.”

Prof. Ramde positioned the I3C-JET conference as a catalytic platform to influence policy, connect sectors, and inspire innovation.

“This conference, I3C-JET, is not just an event—it is a movement. It provides a unique and much-needed platform for dialogue between science, policy, and society to bridge knowledge gaps, exchange bold ideas, and co-create actionable solutions for climate resilience and energy justice in Africa.”

He closed by acknowledging the collaborative spirit that made the conference possible.

“This gathering would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our partners from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, whose consistent backing has shaped WASCAL’s evolution, to Barani Meteo Innovations from Slovakia, who came all the way to share their climate monitoring technologies.

Let us remember: climate resilience is a global goal. Our success lies in how well we collaborate, learn from each other, and build together—from West Africa to the world.”

Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Climate Action and Just Energy Transition at Landmark Regional Conference