By Vice President Kashim Shettima has officially launched the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), an ambitious plan aimed at creating 2.5 million jobs across key sectors in Nigeria. The programme, developed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, is a major component of the government’s strategy to tackle youth unemployment.
Speaking at the launch event in Abuja, Shettima described the initiative as a “season of opportunity” and stressed the urgent need for Nigerians to adapt to the rapidly changing world of work. “Traditional employment structures are giving way to digital ecosystems, but in this uncertainty lies a sea of opportunity, if only we are bold enough to seize it,” he said.
LEEP focuses on six strategic pillars that include digital training, vocational and entrepreneurship programmes, job fairs, and a national job exchange platform. It also embraces the gig economy, remote work, and labour compliance digitisation. Nigerians will receive training in skills like AI, software development, digital marketing, and data analysis.
The Vice President urged Nigerians to stay and invest their skills at home, discouraging the growing “Japa” trend of mass emigration. “They don’t need to Japa from this country. We are a nation of over 230 million people… by 2050, we’ll be 440 million strong,” he said, noting Nigeria’s youth population as a key advantage.
Highlighting the country’s fluency in English and proximity to global markets, Shettima said Nigeria has the potential to surpass India’s $125 billion outsourcing industry. “All we need is to equip our youth,” he said, advocating for a future built on tech-driven work and local opportunities.
Minister of Labour, Maigari Dingyadi, and Minister of State, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, both pledged the government’s full commitment. “LEEP is structured to identify marketable skills and build youth capacity,” said Dingyadi. Onyejeocha added, “With LEEP, we are setting a clear national target to directly and indirectly create at least 2.5 million sustainable jobs within two years.
