The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other stakeholders have convened to address the pressing issues of rising unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria. The discussions took place at the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 Employers' Forum held in Lagos, which brought together leading private sector organizations, government representatives, and development partners. The forum catalyzed renewed commitments to strengthening Nigeria's workforce pipeline and accelerating youth employment.
The NJFP is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP. Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Chairman of the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas, highlighted the government's commitment to youth employment and private sector collaboration. He commended the European Union for its sustained funding and dedication to Nigeria's socio-economic transformation, describing the initiative as a direct investment in human capital that powers the nation's development.
Governor Sanwo-Olu stated, "I commend the European Union for its sustained funding and its commitment to Nigeria's socio-economic transformation. I equally commend UNDP Nigeria for the excellence of its implementation and applaud every employer in this forum today. Your presence here is not ceremonial; it is an act of patriotism. By hosting fellows, offering mentorship, and opening your organizations to Nigeria's graduates, you are making a direct investment in the human capital that will power this nation's next chapter."
In her remarks, the Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz, reaffirmed the EU's support for Nigeria's workforce development efforts. She expressed delight in supporting initiatives that deliver tangible results for youths and businesses, noting that such platforms not only address unemployment but also strengthen the foundations for sustainable economic growth.
Stefanowicz said, "The European Union is proud to support initiatives like NJFP that deliver tangible results for young people and for businesses. By equipping graduates with relevant skills and connecting them to real workplace opportunities, we are not only addressing unemployment, but we are also strengthening the foundations for sustainable economic growth."
Also speaking, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, emphasized the importance of sustained partnerships in driving inclusive economic growth. She noted that the presence of associations, financial institutions, technology firms, manufacturers, agribusinesses, and innovation ecosystem actors at the forum sends a strong signal that workforce transformation is increasingly recognized as a shared national responsibility and a shared economic opportunity.
Attafuah remarked, "This Employers' Forum is therefore important not only because of the commitments it seeks to mobilize for NJFP placements, but because it represents a broader platform for strengthening long-term partnership between talent development, enterprise growth, and economic transformation in Nigeria. The participation of major employers, MSMEs, industry associations, financial institutions, technology firms, manufacturers, agribusinesses, and innovation ecosystem actors here today sends a strong signal that workforce transformation is increasingly being recognized as a shared national responsibility and a shared economic opportunity."
