How FG’s empowerment programme will create 2.5 million jobs — Minister

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has outlined how the Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme aims to create 2.5 million jobs.

In his Independence Day speech, President Bola Tinubu announced that the initiative would be launched this month as part of efforts to tackle unemployment.

“It is conceived as a comprehensive suite of interventions in job creation by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, aimed at facilitating the creation of 2.5 million jobs, both directly and indirectly, on an annual incremental basis, whilst simultaneously ensuring the welfare and safety of workers across the country,” Tinubu said on Monday.

In a statement on Friday, the minister explained that LEEP is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to revitalise the nation’s economy and reduce unemployment.

According to her, LEEP is a comprehensive suite of interventions focused on job creation by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

“Through the LEEP Digital Nomads pillar, we will develop and nurture the talents and expertise of our significant youth population to access 10x income revenue streams from the global job market. This will be achieved by enhancing their digital literacy and global remote work offerings,” she said.

The minister added that the LEEP Vocational and Entrepreneurship Programme would also provide industrial and cottage-relevant skills training for employment and entrepreneurship.

“We will upgrade and expand our National Electronic Labour Exchange platform to expedite automated recruitment processes across all employment types nationwide.

“Additionally, under the LEEP Job Fairs, the federal government, in collaboration with private sector employers, will host annual job fairs to connect job seekers with employers and partners across Nigeria.

“The LEEP Centre for Learning Spaces initiative will also ensure the upgrading and modernisation of the existing physical assets of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, as well as the National Directorate of Employment across the country.

“This is to meet the growing demand for learning spaces suitable for apprenticeships, production hubs, and business incubators,” she added