President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the government will start a new program called Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Program (LEEP) later this month. This program will help 2.5 million people get jobs.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu told us about this plan during his speech for Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day.
“Later this month, we will start the Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Program (LEEP). This program, by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, will help create 2.5 million jobs each year. It will make sure that workers all over the country are safe and well-treated.” He said.
Tinubu knows that many Nigerians are having a hard time finding jobs and dealing with high living costs.
He promised that the government is working hard to make things better and asked people to be patient while changes are being made.
Background Information
Nigeria’s job problem is getting worse. Recent data shows that the unemployment rate went up a bit in the first part of 2024. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the unemployment rate is now 5.3%, up from 5.0% in the third quarter of 2023. This shows that finding jobs is still hard, even though the government is trying to help.
On a brighter note, fewer young people are out of work now. The youth unemployment rate dropped to 8.4% from 8.6% in the last quarter. But still, a lot of young people need jobs.
Among those with secondary education, 6.9% are without jobs, and 4.0% of those with only primary education are jobless.
National Security and Economic Changes
The President also talked about other important topics, like making northern areas safer by fighting insurgencies and making changes to boost the economy and improve life for Nigerians.
Starting LEEP is part of the government’s bigger plan to create jobs, help people, and make the economy stable.
What You Should Know
The government has introduced other job-creating programs before, aiming to help sectors like cotton, textile, and manufacturing.
- Earlier in the year, the government started a plan called the National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Material and Product Development. This plan hopes to make 4.4 million jobs by improving local manufacturing so Nigerian products can be sold globally.
- The government is also fixing up Nigeria’s cotton and textile industry with help from the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). Vice President Kashim Shettima said this plan aims to create 1.4 million jobs every year, including in farming, ginning, and weaving.
- Recently, the government opened MSME Clinics and ICT hubs in Makurdi, Benue State, to make 48,000 jobs a year. These hubs will help the fashion industry and give ICT training to grow local businesses.
- The SAPZ project by the government plans to make 50,000 jobs directly and indirectly over five years, with 40% of the jobs going to women.