President Bola Tinubu has introduced the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) following the rollout of YEIDEP, with a target to generate 2.5 million sustainable jobs within two years and reposition the Ministry of Labour as a centre for employment generation.
At the event held in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who stood in for Tinubu, described LEEP as the government’s strongest step yet in addressing youth unemployment. He emphasized that Nigeria must adapt to the digital age and equip its young population with skills for the future instead of chasing opportunities overseas.
“The digital revolution is redefining everything. But inside this disruption lies massive opportunity—if we are bold enough to grab it,” Shettima said.
Pointing to Nigeria’s youthful population, he urged the youth to “believe in Nigeria” and build their future here, noting that Nigeria has the potential to overtake India’s $125 billion outsourcing market due to its energetic youth and command of the English language.
Labour Minister Muhammad Dingyadi and Minister of State Nkeiruka Onyejeocha backed the remarks, stating that LEEP is structured to bridge the gap between education and market demands, foster entrepreneurship, and turn the Ministry into a productive job-creating institution.
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A unified digital job-matching system and a database of skilled Nigerians in the diaspora were also unveiled to support employment creation and technological innovation across the country.