The Federal Government has unveiled the National Job Centre Project, a nationwide initiative aimed at connecting skilled Nigerians with decent job opportunities and strengthening the country’s labour market infrastructure.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Dr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made the announcement at the Mastercard Foundation Annual Nigeria Partner Convening held in Lagos. She said the new initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to promote dignified, inclusive, and transformative work for all Nigerians.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tósìn Olúwalówò, the job centres will serve as employability hubs that integrate digital job matching, data tracking, and career advisory services. The goal, Onyejeocha said, is to build a harmonised system that empowers Nigerian youth to contribute productively 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. They form part of a national labour framework that empowers youth to contribute meaningfully to local industries and compete confidently on the global stage,” she stated.
In addition to the Job Centre Project, Onyejeocha also launched the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) a flagship scheme designed to improve employability and strengthen the link between vocational training and job placement.
She explained that LEEP will ensure that the transition from learning to employment becomes seamless for Nigerian youths, with a focus on protecting workers’ rights, ensuring fair wages, and promoting labour market governance.
“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.
The Minister commended the Mastercard Foundation for its long-term partnership with Nigeria through the Young Africa Works strategy, which has helped empower thousands of young people by providing job opportunities, entrepreneurship support, and digital skills.
“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,” Onyejeocha said.
She noted that the foundation’s collaborative approach aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, especially in advancing the government’s vision to transform skills into sustainable jobs for youth across the country.
“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 remarked.
Onyejeocha emphasised that achieving decent and sustainable work requires collective action from all stakeholders — including the government, private sector, development partners, and civil society organisations.
“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.
She reaffirmed that the Ministry of Labour and Employment remains committed to partnerships that promote job creation, social inclusion, and economic stability in line with the Tinubu administration’s employment objectives.
Earlier, Onyejeocha disclosed that the Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) which is part of the government’s economic revitalisation plan would facilitate the creation of 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs annually.
She added that one of the key components, known as the LEEP Digital Nomads Pillar, will develop the digital skills of Nigerian youths, enabling them to access global remote work opportunities and generate foreign income.
“Through the LEEP Digital Nomads pillar, we will nurture the talents and expertise of our significant youth population to access income revenue streams from the global job market,” she said.
With the establishment of the National Job Centre Project and the rollout of LEEP, the Federal Government aims to bridge Nigeria’s employment gap, strengthen job data systems, and foster sustainable livelihoods for millions of citizens.
