The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to tackle Nigeria’s unemployment crisis through the newly launched Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), with a target of creating 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs within two years.
The Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made the announcement during the programme’s official launch in Abuja on Tuesday, describing it as a fundamental shift in the ministry’s approach to job creation.
“It is with deep honour and a profound sense of purpose that I welcome you all to the official launch of LEEP – a bold national initiative that speaks to the heart of this administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” the Minister declared. She emphasised that the ministry was moving beyond its traditional role as a regulatory body to become “a central engine of job creation” and “a catalyst for inclusive prosperity” across all sectors of the economy.
Onyejeocha outlined LEEP’s four-pronged approach: expanding sustainable employment opportunities, equipping Nigerians with industry-relevant skills, stimulating entrepreneurship, and serving as a national clearinghouse for labour market intelligence. “Our role is not only to settle disputes but to create opportunities,” she stated, adding that the programme would support workers “in factories, farms, tech hubs, markets, and every corner of our national economy.”
The Minister framed Nigeria’s unemployment situation as “a clear and present danger to our collective future,” requiring urgent action. “LEEP is not just a programme; it is an institutional shift,” she asserted, explaining that it represents the ministry’s commitment to its full constitutional role in workforce development. The initiative will prioritise youth, women and persons with disabilities while serving all Nigerian workers across formal and informal sectors.
Key components of the programme include partnerships with multiple stakeholders, a Comprehensive Diaspora Skills Database to harness expertise from abroad, and a digital platform connecting job seekers with employers in real time. The Minister called for collaboration across government agencies, private sector participation, and international support, stating: “We are open to all who want to transform a generation, not just fund a project.”
In her closing remarks, Onyejeocha emphasised that LEEP’s success would depend on “collective leadership, private-sector innovation and the unyielding resilience of the Nigerian workforce.” The programme forms a critical part of the administration’s strategy to address Nigeria’s unemployment rate, which stood at 4.1% in the first quarter of 2023 according to the National Bureau of Statistics, though underemployment remains a significant challenge.
“Let us seize this moment. Let us make it count,” the Minister urged stakeholders, concluding with a prayer for divine blessing on the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The launch event was attended by representatives from various government agencies, private sector organisations and development partners expected to play key roles in implementing the initiative.
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