FG Unveils National Job Centres, LEEP Initiative to Boost Youth Employment and Skills Development — Onyejeocha

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish National Job Centres across the country as part of efforts to close the widening gap between skills acquisition and employment opportunities in Nigeria.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made the disclosure in Lagos during the Mastercard Foundation Annual Nigeria Partner Convening, where she reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting dignified, inclusive, and transformative work under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Describing the initiative as a major leap toward addressing youth unemployment and modernizing the country’s labour ecosystem, Onyejeocha said the National Job Centre Project will serve as a nationwide network of employability hubs, connecting skilled Nigerians to real job opportunities while strengthening labour market infrastructure.

> “The National Job Centres will integrate digital job matching, data tracking, and career advisory services to create a harmonised and inclusive employment system. These centres form a key part of our national labour framework, designed to empower Nigerian youth to contribute meaningfully to local industries and to compete globally,” she said.

The Minister also unveiled the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), a flagship government initiative aimed at enhancing the employability of young Nigerians and ensuring a seamless transition from skill training to sustainable jobs.

> “Through LEEP, we are strengthening the bridge between training and employment. Our goal goes beyond job creation — we want to build a system that protects workers’ rights, ensures fair wages, and promotes decent, productive work,” Onyejeocha explained.

She commended the Mastercard Foundation for its long-standing dedication to youth empowerment through the Young Africa Works strategy, noting its contributions to entrepreneurship, job creation, and vocational training across Nigeria.

> “In the past six years, your partnerships under the Young Africa Works strategy have not only provided young Nigerians with relevant skills but also created pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and hope,” she said.

Onyejeocha stressed that the Foundation’s evidence-based and collaborative approach aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda, especially in transforming skills into sustainable employment.

> “Your focus on collaboration, inclusion, and data-driven impact resonates deeply with our national vision to make skills-to-jobs a reality for every Nigerian youth,” she added.

The Minister emphasized that achieving inclusive and sustainable work for all Nigerians requires strong partnerships among government agencies, the private sector, and development partners.

> “Building a sustainable ecosystem for work demands collective action. We invite stakeholders to collaborate with us through these platforms to expand job access and accelerate economic opportunities across Nigeria,” she appealed.

Reaffirming the Ministry’s readiness to strengthen collaborations that promote employment creation and social inclusion, Onyejeocha assured that the Federal Government remains committed to building a future anchored on dignity, productivity, and empowerment.

> “The Ministry of Labour and Employment will continue to partner with the Mastercard Foundation and other stakeholders to build a future where work is not just available, but dignified, inclusive, and transformative,” she concluded.