Employers, young professionals, and government representatives gathered in Lokoja for the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 Kogi Employer and Fellow Engagement, an event designed to strengthen connections between Kogi-based employers and talented young graduates while expanding opportunities for workforce development across the state.
For many Fellows in attendance, the event represented more than a networking opportunity. It provided direct access to employers, insights into workplace expectations, and a clearer understanding of how they can position themselves for success in an increasingly competitive labour market.
Host Organisations also welcomed the opportunity to engage with fellows and learn more about the support available through the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme. Employers highlighted the value of accessing prescreened, workplace-ready talent while sharing expectations around professionalism, adaptability, communication skills, and workplace performance.
The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Since its launch in 2021, the programme has connected thousands of young Nigerian graduates with structured workplace opportunities that provide practical experience, coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
Addressing participants at the engagement, Dr. Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade PHD., Secretary to the Government of Kogi State representing the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to creating opportunities that enable young people to contribute meaningfully to economic growth and development. He said, “as a government, we recognize that the greatest asset of any society is its people, particularly its youth. Across Kogi State, thousands of talented youths possess the intelligence, creativity, and determination to succeed. What many require is the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, gain relevant experience, and contribute meaningfully to society. Programmes such as NJFP provide that opportunity. I commend the Federal Government of Nigeria, the European Union, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for their continued investment in the future of Nigerian youth.”
The engagement also provided an opportunity to share programme performance updates and discuss the benefits of participating in NJFP. Speaking on behalf of the programme, Chiedu Nwokolo, UNDP Impact Monitoring and Learning Lead, highlighted NJFP’s growing impact and encouraged more employers within Kogi State to participate. “The success of NJFP demonstrates that when employers are given access to talented, motivated, and workplace-ready young professionals, the benefits extend beyond individual placements. Organisations gain access to fresh perspectives, new skills, and emerging talent, while young people gain the experience and confidence required to succeed in the workplace. We believe there is significant potential to deepen employer participation in Kogi State and expand opportunities for more young graduates,” he said.
Several Fellows who attended the engagement expressed optimism about the opportunities available through the programme and welcomed the chance to be interviewed and matched to Host Organisations at the event. Similarly, participating employers noted that the engagement provided valuable insights into the quality of talent available within the NJFP ecosystem and reaffirmed their interest in supporting workforce development initiatives that contribute to both organisational growth and youth employment outcomes.
Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Mr. Akubo Adegbe, emphasised the importance of expanding access to opportunity for young Nigerians. He mentioned that “the challenge has never been talent; the challenge has been creating enough opportunities for that talent to thrive. NJFP helps bridge that gap by connecting talented young Nigerians with organizations where they can gain practical workplace experience, mentorship, professional exposure and career development opportunities. This initiative reflects the commitment of the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda to invest in people, expand opportunities and build a workforce capable of driving economic growth and national development.”
As NJFP continues to expand its footprint across Nigeria, state-level engagements such as the Kogi Employer and Fellow Engagement play an important role in strengthening local workforce ecosystems, increasing employer participation, and ensuring that more young Nigerians are connected to meaningful workplace opportunities.
