Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities that empower young people to actively contribute to economic growth and development.
Speaking during the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 Kogi Employer and Fellow Engagement held in Lokoja on Thursday, the governor praised the Federal Government for its continued investment in the future of Nigerian youths.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Ayoade Folashade Arike, Governor Ododo described young people as the most valuable asset of any society, stressing that many only need the right opportunities to showcase their talents, acquire relevant experience, and make meaningful contributions to national development.
He noted that initiatives such as the NJFP provide a vital platform for youths to achieve these goals.
“I commend the Federal Government of Nigeria, the European Union, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for their sustained commitment to investing in the future of Nigerian youths,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the programme, UNDP Impact Monitoring and Learning Lead, Chiedu Nwokolo, highlighted the growing impact of the NJFP and encouraged more employers in Kogi State to participate in the initiative.
According to him, the programme has proven that giving employers access to talented, motivated, and workplace-ready young professionals creates benefits that go beyond individual placements.
“Organisations gain fresh ideas, new skills, and emerging talent, while young people acquire the experience and confidence needed to excel in their careers. We see enormous potential to increase employer participation in Kogi State and create more opportunities for young graduates,” Nwokolo said.
Several fellows at the event expressed optimism about the opportunities offered through the programme and welcomed the chance to be interviewed and matched with host organisations.
Participating employers also commended the initiative, noting that it gave them valuable insight into the quality of talent available within the NJFP network. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting workforce development efforts that promote organisational growth and youth employment.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Mr. Akubo Adegbe, stressed the need to expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
He stated that the challenge facing the country is not a shortage of talent but limited opportunities for that talent to flourish.
“NJFP bridges this gap by connecting talented young Nigerians with organisations where they can gain practical work experience, mentorship, professional exposure, and career development opportunities. This initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to invest in people, expand opportunities, and build a workforce capable of driving economic growth and national development,” he said.
The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, an initiative of the Federal Government funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP, was launched in 2021. Since then, it has provided thousands of young Nigerian graduates with structured workplace opportunities, mentorship, coaching, and professional development.
For many fellows, the engagement served as more than a networking event, offering direct interaction with employers, greater insight into workplace expectations, and a clearer path to career success in a highly competitive labour market.
