The federal government has inaugurated the National Job Centre Project, a nationwide network of employability hubs designed to connect skilled and trained Nigerians to real job opportunities and strengthen the country’s labour market infrastructure.
According to a statement from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the initiative was unveiled by the minister of state for labour and employment, Rt. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, during the Mastercard Foundation Annual Nigeria Partner Convening held in Lagos on Wednesday.
The minister said the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises dignified, inclusive, and transformative work for Nigerians.
Explaining the concept, Onyejeocha said the National Job Centres will serve as integrated employability hubs leveraging technology, data, and career support systems to strengthen job placement and workforce readiness across the country.
“The National Job Centres will integrate digital job matching, data tracking, and career advisory services to create a harmonised and inclusive system,” she said. “They form part of a national labour framework that empowers youth to contribute meaningfully to local industries and compete confidently on the global stage.”
In addition to the job centres, the minister launched the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), a flagship initiative designed to improve the employability of young Nigerians and ensure smoother transitions from training to employment.
“Through LEEP, we are enhancing the employability of young Nigerians and strengthening the bridge between training and jobs,” Onyejeocha said. “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 called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, development partners, and civil society organisations to achieve decent and sustainable work.
“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 added.
The minister reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment remains committed to partnerships that advance employment creation, social inclusion, and economic stability in line with national development goals.
“The Ministry stands ready to continue working with the Mastercard Foundation and all stakeholders to build a future where work is dignified, inclusive, and transformative,” she concluded.
Labour Market Context
A recent Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) survey highlights the scale of Nigeria’s employment challenge. The report shows that more than 46,000 jobseekers competed for only 22,630 job openings in 2024, averaging just 2,837 vacancies per month. The findings underscore the rising pressure in the labour market and the need for effective job-matching and skills development initiatives.
The report further reveals that 816 jobseekers, or 26%, lack both education and experience, reducing the pool of employable candidates to only 2,502 individuals.
In response, several state-led initiatives have emerged to address the skills gap. In Lagos, the Graduate Internship Placement Programme was launched to provide hands-on experience for graduates in both public and private sectors.
Additionally, the Lagos State Government disbursed over ₦849.5 million in scholarships and bursaries to 10,066 students in tertiary institutions to expand educational access. Of this amount, ₦335.6 million went to 1,591 beneficiaries under the 2022/2023 Scholarship Award and Governor’s Discretionary Awards, while ₦513.9 million supported 6,884 students under the 2022/2023 Bursary Award.
The Federal Government’s Job Centre Project is therefore expected to complement such state-led programmes, bridging the gap between training and employment, and creating a more coordinated, data-driven approach to job creation across Nigeria.
