President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barrister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, as the “quiet architect of progress” behind the newly launched Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), which aims to create 2.5 million jobs across Nigeria.
The commendation was delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President at the programme’s official launch in Abuja on Tuesday.
In his keynote address titled “The Future We Build Together”, Shettima emphasised that LEEP represents a critical response to the evolving global labour market, where technological advancements are rapidly reshaping employment landscapes.
“The future of work in Nigeria is one that must compel us to rethink the dynamics of a rapidly evolving world,” the Vice President stated, noting that artificial intelligence and digital ecosystems are transforming traditional job structures.
Shettima described LEEP as a “well-considered response to a pressing national need,” designed not merely to create jobs but to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s workforce through upskilling and reskilling initiatives.
“This intervention isn’t just about creating jobs. It is about transformation,” he declared, highlighting the programme’s focus on preparing Nigerians for both existing opportunities and “the jobs yet to be imagined.”
The Vice President underscored the programme’s alignment with President Tinubu’s vision of inclusive economic growth, stressing that LEEP was designed to benefit all six geopolitical zones.
“The strength of this nation has always been its people. Their ingenuity, and their will to rise against the odds,” Shettima remarked, while calling for private sector collaboration to ensure the initiative’s success.
Praising Onyejeocha’s leadership, Shettima stated: “I commend the Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment for steering us to this point with purpose and clarity.” He further described the ministry’s team as “the quiet architects of progress” behind the programme, which fulfils Tinubu’s pledge to build a labour ecosystem where every Nigerian can thrive.
Shettima warned that Nigeria must act decisively to avoid being left behind in the global economy. “We either gather to achieve this today or prepare for the consequences of a world where we aren’t prepared for the demands of the changing world,” he asserted.
The launch event brought together government officials, private sector leaders, and international development partners, with the Vice President urging collective action to ensure LEEP’s success. “We are at the threshold of a new era,” Shettima concluded, “one where our workforce is empowered, our economy strengthened, and our people equipped to compete globally.”
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