FG Unveils Bold Plan to Create 2.5 Million Jobs

By Achimi Muktar

In a major move to combat unemployment and empower Nigeria’s workforce, the Federal Government has officially launched the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP)—an ambitious initiative aimed at creating 2.5 million jobs within just two years.

The program, unveiled on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was launched by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who declared it a “transformational leap” in Nigeria’s labour sector.

The announcement was detailed in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President).

LEEP stems from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s October 1, 2024 Independence Day pledge to ignite a job-creation revolution through what he called the Renewed Hope Labour LEEP. With Tuesday’s launch, that vision is now officially in motion.

Vice President Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to building a workforce ready for the demands of the future.

“LEEP is the fulfilment of a promise to create a national ecosystem where every Nigerian worker can thrive—where innovation and technology enhance, not threaten, our labour market,” he said.

The Vice President stressed that upskilling and reskilling Nigerians will be at the heart of the program, enabling citizens to access not only existing jobs but also emerging opportunities in tech and the gig economy.

LEEP, he noted, is not just about employment—it’s about transformation. “This intervention targets all sectors and uses technology to link skilled individuals with the employers who need them.”

He praised the efforts of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, describing them as “the quiet architects of progress” who brought LEEP from concept to reality.

The Vice President also used the occasion to call for private sector support, urging civil society organisations, trade unions, and global development partners to collaborate in ensuring LEEP’s success.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, highlighted the urgency of the mission, noting that Nigeria’s unemployment numbers are a “clear and imminent danger” to national stability.

“This program will expand access to sustainable employment and stimulate vocational training for the most vulnerable demographics,” she stated.

Director General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Silas Agara, described LEEP as “a bold step” that will empower young Nigerians with the practical skills they need to create wealth and drive economic growth.

LEEP is just one of several programs launched under the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, following the establishment of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) in March 2025. Together, these initiatives are part of a wider plan to boost Nigeria’s human capital development and push down the unemployment rate, which has already fallen to 4.3% in Q2 2024.

With millions of jobs on the line and a digital-first approach to labour reform, LEEP might just be the lifeline Nigeria’s struggling youth have been waiting for. Whether it delivers on its ambitious targets, only time will tell—but for now, hope is officially back on the table.