Building the Bridge Between Talent and Opportunity: NJFP Calls for New Host Organisations

Nigeria has no shortage of young talent. What it lacks, still frustratingly, is enough real-world opportunity to meet that talent at scale. That gap is what the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) was designed to confront. Now, with the launch of NJFP 2.0, the programme is opening its doors once again—this time calling on organisations across the country to step in as Host Organisations and play a more direct role in shaping the next generation of Nigeria’s workforce.

NJFP is a Federal Government of Nigeria initiative, implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the European Union (EU). At its core, the programme connects talented Nigerian graduates with paid, 12-month work placements across both public and private sectors. The aim is simple, but urgent: close the widening gap between formal education and meaningful employment.

For participating organisations, the value proposition goes beyond goodwill. Host Organisations gain access to a pool of motivated, trained young professionals who are ready to contribute from day one. Fellows come equipped with relevant skills and structured support, while organisations are expected to provide mentorship, practical exposure, and a safe, inclusive work environment.

In practice, this creates a two-way exchange. Fellows gain experience that most entry-level roles still fail to offer. Organisations, in turn, benefit from fresh perspectives, additional capacity, and the chance to build internal pipelines of talent—without the usual recruitment friction.

The call is open to private companies, public institutions, NGOs, and social enterprises. To qualify, organisations must be duly registered, compliant with Nigerian regulations, and able to demonstrate the capacity to support fellows professionally and ethically. It’s not just about filling seats; it’s about creating environments where young professionals can actually learn, contribute, and grow.

There’s also a reputational layer here. Host Organisations under NJFP position themselves as active participants in national development—not just beneficiaries of policy, but contributors to long-term workforce readiness. In a labour market increasingly defined by skills gaps and underemployment, that visibility matters.

Applications for Host Organisations under NJFP 2.0 are now open. Interested organisations can apply by visiting www.njfp.ng, completing the host registration form, and submitting required documentation, including CAC and TIN details. Additional information about organisational structure and workforce needs will also be required.

For a country with one of the youngest populations in the world, programmes like NJFP are less about optics and more about infrastructure. The question now isn’t whether Nigeria has talent—but whether enough institutions are willing to help turn that potential into lived experience.

NJFP 2.0 is asking organisations to be part of that answer.