Aiming to create 2.5 million job openings, the Nigerian Federal Government has initiated the Labour Employment Enhancement Programme, LEEP.
During the pre-inaugural event for the LEEP in Abuja, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, revealed this plan.
In light of the rapidly evolving global landscape, she emphasized the necessity of equipping the Nigerian workforce with the essential resources and prospects to thrive in the digital age.
The LEEP is geared towards achieving goals like zero hunger, zero poverty, economic advancement, and the provision of satisfactory jobs through six strategic measures.
She elaborated, “The ambitious vision of the LEEP is to train and empower 2.5 million individuals.”
In Nigeria, the issue of youth joblessness persists, with more than 13 million young people currently unemployed.
Recent data underscores the significance of initiatives like LEEP in granting young citizens access to training, work opportunities, and backing for entrepreneurial ventures.
By doing so, this effort will tackle the dilemma of youth joblessness and foster social inclusivity.
She emphasized, “This initiative represents a comprehensive approach to tackle critical workforce challenges, including job generation, skill enhancement, and managing migration.”
This development follows a rise in Nigeria’s unemployment rate to 5% as per the labour statistics for the Third Quarter of 2023 by the National Bureau of Statistics.