The Nigerian government has announced the launch of the National Job Centre Project, a nationwide network of employability hubs aimed at connecting trained Nigerians to job opportunities and strengthening the country’s labour market infrastructure.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made the announcement at the Mastercard Foundation Annual Nigeria Partner Convening held in Lagos on Wednesday.
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Nigeria continues to grapple with rising youth unemployment despite several government interventions.
A recent report estimates that nearly 80 million Nigerian youth are unemployed, with about 1.7 million graduates entering the labour market annually without sufficient opportunities for formal employment.
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The State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025, presented in Abuja in September during the Nigerian Youth Dialogue organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Youth in Parliament, highlighted these concerns.
About interventions
According to Mrs Onyejeocha, the Job Centres would integrate digital job matching, data tracking, and career advisory services to create a harmonised and inclusive system that empowers young Nigerians to contribute to local industries and compete globally.
“The National Job Centres will integrate digital job matching, data tracking, and career advisory services to create a harmonised and inclusive system,” she said.
“They form part of a national labour framework that empowers youth to contribute meaningfully to local industries and compete confidently on the global stage.”
The minister also unveiled the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), a flagship initiative designed to enhance the employability of young Nigerians and ensure a smoother transition from training to work.
“Through LEEP, we are enhancing the employability of young Nigerians and strengthening the bridge between training and jobs. Our goal is not just to create employment but to build systems that protect workers’ rights, ensure fair wages, and strengthen labour market governance,” she added.
Ongoing partnership
Mrs Onyejeocha commended the Mastercard Foundation for its ongoing partnership with Nigeria through the Young Africa Works strategy, which she said has provided skills, created jobs, and supported entrepreneurship across the country over the past six years.
“Over the past six years, through the Young Africa Works strategy, your partnerships have not only provided skills but opened pathways to jobs, entrepreneurship, and hope for thousands across Nigeria,” she said.
She added that the Foundation’s work aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on transforming skills into sustainable jobs and expanding opportunities for Nigerian youth.
“Your focus on evidence, collaboration, and inclusion resonates deeply with the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly our national drive to make skills-to-jobs a reality for every Nigerian youth,” she noted.
The minister emphasised that the success of these initiatives depends on collaboration between the government, the private sector, development partners, and civil society.
“Building an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem for work requires collective effort. We invite partners to collaborate with us in driving job access through these platforms and accelerating economic outcomes across Nigeria’s labour ecosystem,” she said.
Mrs Onyejeocha reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to promoting employment creation, social inclusion, and economic stability in line with the government’s broader agenda.
“The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment stands ready to continue working with the Mastercard Foundation and all stakeholders to build a future where work is dignified, inclusive, and transformative,” she said.
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