The Federal Government has announced plans to create 2.5 million jobs for Nigerians through the Labour Employment Enhancement Programme (LEEP).
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made the announcement on Thursday’ during the pre-inaugural ceremony for the LEEP in Abuja.
She disclosed the government’s plan to create 2.5 million jobs for Nigerians amidst the high rate of unemployment in the country.
Mrs. Onyejeocha emphasized the necessity of equipping the Nigerian workforce with essential tools and opportunities to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape, particularly in the digital age.
She outlined LEEP’s objectives, which include addressing issues such as zero hunger, zero poverty, economic growth, and the promotion of decent jobs through six strategic initiatives.
“The LEEP vision is to train and equip 2.5 million people.I n Nigeria, youth unemployment remains a pressing issue, with over 13 million young people currently unemployed.
“According to recent statistics, initiatives like LEEP are crucial in providing young people access to training, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurial support.
“This will address the challenge of youth unemployment and promoting social inclusion.
“The initiative is a comprehensive strategy to address key challenges facing our workforce, such as job creation, skills development and migration control,” she said.
The unveiling of LEEP comes amid a rise in Nigeria’s unemployment rate, which stood at 5 percent according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics for the Third Quarter of 2023.