By Ejiofor Toochi
Edited by Ezennia Uche
In a bold move to tackle Nigeria’s escalating youth unemployment crisis, the Federal Government has launched the National Job Centre Project, a nationwide network of employability hubs.
Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, unveiled the initiative at the Mastercard Foundation Annual Nigeria Partner Convening in Lagos. This project, part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to ensure dignified, inclusive, and transformative work.
The vision behind the project is to help many Nigerians overcome unemployment by creating a structured bridge between job seekers and employers. The National Job Centres will integrate digital job matching, data tracking, and career advisory services to create a harmonised and inclusive system. As the Minister emphasized, “Our goal is not just to create jobs but to build systems that protect workers’ rights, ensure fair wages, and strengthen labour market governance.”
The National Job Centre Project comes at a critical moment, as Nigeria is expected to create at least 27 million new formal jobs by 2030 to absorb its rapidly expanding working-age population, projected to hit 168 million, according to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG). Without urgent intervention, NESG warns that unemployment and underemployment could double, forcing millions more Nigerians into insecure and low-paying work.
While this initiative has considerable potential, its implementation remains a concern. Many public initiatives start in Lagos or Abuja but fail to reach other states, leading to uneven access. Implementing a nationwide network of job centres requires strong coordination between federal, state, and local governments in all states.
Most importantly, while job hubs can organise recruitment processes, they do not create jobs on their own. With nearly 80 million unemployed youth and 1.7 million graduates entering the labour market annually, the demand for jobs far exceeds current opportunities. For the centres to be effective, Nigeria must see corresponding growth in industries that can absorb labour. Without this, the job centres risk becoming registration points without placement power.
The National Job Centre Project is a promising idea, but will it be able to tackle the unemployment crisis in Nigeria?
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