By Erewunmi Peace

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish National Job Centres across the country as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and improve access to decent work opportunities.

The initiative, known as the National Job Centre Project (NJCP), was unveiled by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, in Abuja. The project aims to create a structured platform where job seekers and employers can connect more efficiently through both physical and digital means.

According to Onyejeocha, the centres will serve as “employability hubs” designed to offer job placement services, career guidance, skill development programs, and labour market information. She added that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes employment creation and poverty reduction among Nigerian youths.

“These job centres will be accessible to young Nigerians across all states, helping bridge the gap between job seekers and available employment opportunities,” Onyejeocha said.

The Minister also disclosed that the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) will complement the job centres by equipping young people with practical skills needed to secure sustainable jobs.

She emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the initiative becomes a permanent structure that supports both the formal and informal labour sectors.

The National Job Centre Project is expected to leverage technology for online job matching, registration of job seekers, and real-time labour data collection to guide policy formulation.

While the launch marks an important step toward addressing unemployment, analysts have urged the Federal Government to ensure transparency, adequate funding, and efficient management to make the project impactful nationwide.