NJFP Employers’ Forum 2026

ABOUT THE FORUM 2026

The best time to invest in Nigeria’s workforce is now

Nigeria’s universities and polytechnics produce thousands of ambitious, capable graduates every year. Yet the transition from academic achievement to workplace contribution remains a persistent challenge across sectors, one that affects employers, graduates, and the broader economy alike. The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme was designed to close that gap. Fellows are pre-screened and trained before placement, then embedded within vetted host organisations for one full year, contributing from day one and developing the kind of applied competency that complements formal education and accelerates professional readiness. NJFP 2.0 builds on the strong foundation of the first phase, strengthens what worked, and scales the programme for broader national impact.

ABOUT THE FORUM 2026

The best time to invest to invest in Nigeria’s workforce is now

The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme was designed to close that gap. Fellows are pre-screened and trained before placement, then embedded within vetted host organisations for one full year, contributing from day one and developing the kind of applied competency that complements formal education and accelerates professional readiness.

NJFP 2.0 builds on the strong foundation of the first phase, strengthens what worked, and scales the programme for broader national impact.

MEET THE HOSTS

H.E Sen. Kashim Shettima GCON

Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Gautier Mignot

European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS

Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah

Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria

Massimo De Luca

Head of Corporation, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS

Forum Overview

The programme will convene employers, MSMEs, policymakers, development partners, industry leaders, fellows, and alumni for a day of structured dialogue, employer–talent engagement, and sector collaboration aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s workforce pipeline. Highlights include Registration and Employer Networking, Structured Employer–Fellow Matching and a parallel CV Clinic, a Panel on Workforce Development, an Interactive Q&A, an MSME Host Acceleration Segment, Lunch and Job Fair Networking, an Alumni and Fellows Fireside Chat, and an Employer Recognition Ceremony.

At the heart of the day is a practical, action-oriented platform designed to move beyond conversation into commitment. Employers will engage directly with pre-screened NJFP fellows, explore the NJFP Talent Marketplace, participate in discussions shaping workforce strategy, and complete structured fellowship slot pledge forms during a dedicated session, with real-time aggregation displayed live in the room and validation tracked through to placement.

Your participation in this convening will demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to building a more inclusive, responsive, and future-ready Nigerian workforce. Together, through NJFP 2.0, we can deepen the link between education and employment, strengthen employer confidence in graduate talent, and turn workforce development into a shared engine for national growth and long-term economic transformation.

What happens on the day?

Registration & Employer Networking

Delegates connect through structured networking, sector tables, and early access to the NJFP Talent Marketplace.

Structured Employer–Fellow Matching & CV Clinic

Employers meet pre-screened fellows while HR professionals support fellows and alumni through a parallel CV Clinic.

Panel: Workforce Development

Leaders from government, business, and development sectors discuss graduate readiness and workforce strategy in Nigeria.

Interactive Q&A

Host employers share honest lessons and firsthand experiences from engaging NJFP fellows.

MSME Host Acceleration Segment

This session helps MSMEs join the programme through simple guidance, registration support, and group participation models.

Lunch & Job Fair Networking

Employers, fellows, alumni, and partners connect and continue conversations over lunch.

Alumni & Fellows Fireside Chat

Fellows and alumni reflect on how NJFP shaped their growth and career journey.

Employer Recognition Ceremony

Outstanding host organisations are recognised for their contribution to workforce development in Nigeria.

Breakout Sessions

Sectoral Opportunities for Job Creation | Governance, Policy, and Institutional Coordination

Stronger accountability and support

Clearer monitoring and feedback systems create a more reliable experience for employers and fellows.

What’s different this time?

Smarter screening

Every fellow goes through rigorous psychometric and competency-based assessment before placement. You are not taking a chance on a CV, but receiving talent already tested for workplace readiness.

Structured training

Fellows complete workplace readiness modules before they ever resume at your organisation. They arrive with stronger grounding in digital skills, communication, productivity, and workplace ethics.

Full visibility, in real time

Employers now have access to live dashboards showing fellow progress, engagement, and productivity. You no longer have to guess how placement is going because you can track it directly.

Better employer matching

NJFP 2.0 uses demand-driven placement based on real workforce needs across sectors. This means organisations receive fellows whose profiles align more closely with actual roles.

Alumni integration beyond placement

Support does not end when the one-year placement cycle is completed. NJFP 2.0 continues to track fellows into employment, growth, and long-term career progression.

Stronger accountability

The programme provides clearer structures for monitoring, feedback, and performance follow-through. This creates a more reliable experience for both employers and fellows throughout the cycle.