The Federal Government has announced plans to create 2.5 million jobs through the Labour Employment Enhancement Programme (LEEP) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment to tackle the pressing issue of youth unemployment in Nigeria.
Speaking at the pre-inauguration ceremony for LEEP in Abuja, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, emphasized that the programme aimed to actualize President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative.
LEEP aims to train and equip 2.5 million people to address youth unemployment and promote social inclusion.
Onyejeocha outlined LEEP as a comprehensive strategy designed to address critical challenges facing the Nigerian workforce, including job creation, skills development, and migration control.
She emphasized the need to equip the Nigerian workforce with the necessary tools and opportunities to thrive in the digital era.
Her words: ”The LEEP comprises six strategic initiatives, including digital skills development, vocational entrepreneurship skills programmes, infrastructure upgrade, NELEX upgrade for employment acceleration, global remote work initiative, and labour compliance enhancement.”
The minister urged support from development partners such as World Bank, GIZ, EU, UNIDO, and Bank of Industry.
She emphasized the importance of collaboration to mitigate the hardship faced by Nigerians due to the removal of fuel subsidy, stating, “We cannot do it alone, and so we need to partner with you to help us succeed in the country.”
In response, Ms Luri Aganetto, the EU Programme Manager, pledged the readiness of the European Union to support the initiative for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
She expressed optimism and eagerness to cooperate with the Nigerian government on the Labour market information system.
Concerns are growing globally about the potential displacement of jobs by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Nigeria has been urged to devise practical policies to mitigate the consequences of this technology on employment.
This resolution was vital to discuss AI and cybersecurity in capital markets at the 2024 Company Secretaries and Registrars’ Forum. The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) organised the forum to address potential job losses resulting from AI adoption through policy interventions.
