The Federal Government said on Thursday that the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), a flagship of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, is capable of creating at least 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians.
The government clarified that LEEP uses six strategic initiatives—the digital skills initiative, the vocational entrepreneurship skills programmes, the infrastructural upgrade, the NELEX upgrade for employment acceleration, the global remote work initiative, and the enhancement of labour compliance—to target zero hunger, zero poverty, economic growth, and decent jobs.
Speaking at the programme’s unveiling in Abuja, Rt. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour, urged development partners to support the current administration’s efforts to lessen the hardships that Nigerians are facing. These partners include the World Bank, GIZ, the European Union, UNIDO, and the Bank of Industry.
President Tinubu Promises More Job
Jerrymusa.com reports that the minister insisted that poverty could be eliminated in the nation and stated that her ministry has numerous institutions that could address all of the problems that are typically ignored in Nigeria if they were ignited.
She added that the Ministry of Labour oversees six of the eight objectives under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and that it was time to act purposefully and creatively to give Nigerians a higher quality of life.
The minister was certain that around a million jobs should have been generated through LEEP in four years.
“We are in a position where we need to reposition the labour ministry,” stated Onyejeocha. We don’t want to fall behind as society increasingly adopts technology and becomes more digitally connected.
“To help us thrive in the nation, we must collaborate with you, as we cannot do it alone. Mr. President was very clear about his direction during the campaign.
“In order to advance the renewed hope agenda, we want to be methodical and precise today. We also want to ask for your assistance in order to meet our KPI.
“The ministry works to ensure that job development reduces, if not completely eradicates, poverty. Many of the issues we have now, especially insecurity, will go away if we generate enough good jobs.
“We want to guarantee regulation, the welfare of workers, and food security for Nigeria.” Additionally, as empowerment is crucial, we will take great care to provide individuals with the tools they need to launch their own businesses and hire employees.
“When you intentionally take action in this way, poverty will decline, empowerment will be real, and training will be impactful.”