Tag: Shettima

The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to create at least 20,000 jobs annually through the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), designed to connect high-potential graduates with real-world work experience, mentorship, and training opportunities.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is scheduled to formally flag off the NJFP 2.0 and declare open a high-level policy dialogue on job creation on Wednesday, October 22, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

With the theme “From skills to jobs and enterprises: Driving youth employment and entrepreneurship in key economic sectors,” the event will bring together policymakers, private-sector leaders, and development partners to chart strategies for expanding youth employment and enterprise development.

Ahead of the launch, the Vice President on Monday inaugurated the NJFP Project Steering Committee, charging members to ensure inclusivity and measurable impact across all regions of the country.

Shettima described the NJFP as a “deliberate attempt to translate Nigeria’s demographic strength into productive economic power,” stressing that its success depends on deep collaboration among government, private sector, and development partners.

According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, “the goal of the NJFP is to bridge the transition gap between learning and earning for thousands of young graduates with the required education but no job opportunity. 

“We have an opportunity here to demonstrate what partnership done right can achieve: where government leads with clarity, partners contribute with confidence, and results speak for themselves”, he said.

He emphasised that inclusivity must remain central to the programme’s design. 

“Our young people are not a homogenous group. They live in different realities across regions, genders, and social backgrounds. We must ensure that this opportunity reaches every corner of the country — and that placements are tied to sectors that will shape Nigeria’s future: agriculture, digital technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, and the creative industries,” the Vice President stated.

The NJFP, coordinated by the Office of the Vice President, is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding support from the European Union (EU). 

The first phase, launched in 2022, empowered over 14,000 young Nigerians through paid 12-month fellowships that provided career experience and mentorship.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, expressed optimism that the NJFP 2.0 would transform the lives of thousands of Nigerian youth, noting that the EU’s partnership with the Federal Government aims to “optimise the full mandate of the programme.”

UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, described the initiative as part of a larger continental vision for youth empowerment. 

She praised the Tinubu administration’s focus on inclusive job creation, saying the UNDP is proud to help build an “ecosystem that creates jobs and fosters innovation across Nigeria.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday said Nigeria is primed to anchor a new era of intra-African trade and investment, leveraging its market size, economic weight, and innovation capacity to drive the continent’s next commercial revolution.

The Vice President made this known at the High-Level Conference on Intra-African Trade, jointly organised by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Woodhall Capital, Afreximbank, and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), at the State House, Abuja, ahead of a series of investment roadshows scheduled for London, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, Shettima commended Woodhall Capital for what he described as “an audacious mandate” to mobilise international funding for sovereign and sub-sovereign projects, calling it “an act of deep patriotic service that turns theoretical potential into bankable opportunities.

“For too long, the narrative of African trade has been dictated by what we extract and export to the Global North. Today, we must pivot and activate the vast untapped energy of intra-African trade”, he said.

While intra-continental trade in Europe and Asia stands at 65% and 60% respectively, Shettima lamented that Africa’s remains below 17%, urging African nations to embrace the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a springboard for shared prosperity.

According to him, Nigeria’s subnationals — not just the federal government — must take the lead in attracting global capital by presenting “structurally sound, de-risked, and market-aligned” projects.

“As a government, we recognise that to attract sustainable investment, we must build an environment anchored on predictable policy, institutional transparency, and public accountability. Capital follows confidence, and confidence follows governance”, he said.

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The Vice President reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to stabilising the currency, rationalising subsidies, and deepening business reforms through PEBEC.

He urged governors to seize emerging opportunities in agro-exports, regional power projects, and digital platforms, declaring “the capital is ready. The markets are ready. And the world is watching. This is our moment to redefine Nigeria’s place in Africa’s economic story — not as a participant, but as a leader.”

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, reaffirmed that Nigerian states are ready to drive the continent’s next phase of growth.

Represented by Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, AbdulRazaq said subnationals hold the key to unlocking Africa’s next wave of trade and economic expansion.

The governor described the gathering as “a declaration that Nigerian states are open for business, already bankable and globally competitive.”

He highlighted the NGF Investopedia platform, launched earlier this year, which showcases hundreds of investment-ready projects across infrastructure, energy, agriculture, logistics, and the creative economy — all aligned with AfCFTA priorities.

“Our collective goal is to deepen collaboration, mobilise capital, and strengthen confidence in the subnational investment ecosystem,” he added, commending Afreximbank and Woodhall Capital for supporting the NGF through blended finance and advisory services.

Also speaking, Alain-Thierry (AT) Mbongue, Acting Regional Chief Operating Officer and Head of Mission for Anglophone West Africa, Afreximbank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to helping subnational governments attract investment and expand intra-African trade.

Representing Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah, Mbongue described the forum as “a pivotal juncture in Nigeria’s investment narrative,” focused on commitments and frameworks to deliver tangible outcomes at scale.

He spotlighted the African Sub-Sovereign Government Network (AfSNET) — established in 2021 — as a platform enabling governors and mayors to exchange knowledge, shape innovative policies, and access Afreximbank’s tailored financing tools.

“Our guiding philosophy is simple: development must be decentralised. It must begin where the needs are most keenly felt — in cities, provinces, counties, and regions — and radiate outward to influence national and continental progress”, Mbongue said.

Over the past four years, AfSNET has convened investment conferences in Durban, Abuja, Cairo, and Kisumu, catalysing over $2 billion in trade and investment deals.

Mbongue also announced that Cross River State will host the next AfSNET Investment Forum in 2026.

Earlier, Woodhall Capital President, Mrs. Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, rallied local and international investors to leverage Nigeria’s evolving policy landscape, describing the forum as “a convergence of purpose, partnership, and vision.”

She linked the initiative to Woodhall’s 2025 Memorandum of Understanding with the NGF, which connects state-level projects with credible investors in the UK and the Gulf region.

Hunponu-Wusu hailed President Tinubu’s economic reforms — including forex liberalisation, exchange rate unification, and capital market deepening — as transformative measures restoring investor confidence.

“This forum is not merely a conversation; it is a bridge connecting policy with capital, Nigeria with the world, and vision with measurable impact,” she said, urging investors to “start from Africa, not outside it.”

She praised Afreximbank as a “Big Brother” to Woodhall Capital and paid tribute to Prof. Oramah as “a true African champion,” expressing confidence that incoming president Dr. George Elombi will sustain the momentum.

Announcing the upcoming NGF–Woodhall Capital international investor roadshows in London, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, Hunponu-Wusu said the platforms would enable Nigerian states to engage financiers directly.

 “No longer do we go with begging bowls. There’s investment onshore, on the continent. If you’re an investor wondering where to find partners, look around this room — they’re here”, she said.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday said Nigeria is primed to anchor a new era of intra-African trade and investment, leveraging its market size, economic weight, and innovation capacity to drive the continent’s next commercial revolution.

The Vice President made this known at the High-Level Conference on Intra-African Trade, jointly organised by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Woodhall Capital, Afreximbank, and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), at the State House, Abuja, ahead of a series of investment roadshows scheduled for London, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, Shettima commended Woodhall Capital for what he described as “an audacious mandate” to mobilise international funding for sovereign and sub-sovereign projects, calling it “an act of deep patriotic service that turns theoretical potential into bankable opportunities.

“For too long, the narrative of African trade has been dictated by what we extract and export to the Global North. Today, we must pivot and activate the vast untapped energy of intra-African trade”, he said.

While intra-continental trade in Europe and Asia stands at 65% and 60% respectively, Shettima lamented that Africa’s remains below 17%, urging African nations to embrace the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a springboard for shared prosperity.

According to him, Nigeria’s subnationals — not just the federal government — must take the lead in attracting global capital by presenting “structurally sound, de-risked, and market-aligned” projects.

“As a government, we recognise that to attract sustainable investment, we must build an environment anchored on predictable policy, institutional transparency, and public accountability. Capital follows confidence, and confidence follows governance”, he said.

The Vice President reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to stabilising the currency, rationalising subsidies, and deepening business reforms through PEBEC. 

He urged Governors to seize emerging opportunities in agro-exports, regional power projects, and digital platforms, declaring “the capital is ready. The markets are ready. And the world is watching. This is our moment to redefine Nigeria’s place in Africa’s economic story — not as a participant, but as a leader.”

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, reaffirmed that Nigerian states are ready to drive the continent’s next phase of growth. 

Represented by Zamfara Governor, Dauda Lawal, AbdulRazaq said subnationals hold the key to unlocking Africa’s next wave of trade and economic expansion.

The Governor described the gathering as “a declaration that Nigerian states are open for business, already bankable and globally competitive.”

He highlighted the NGF Investopedia platform, launched earlier this year, which showcases hundreds of investment-ready projects across infrastructure, energy, agriculture, logistics, and the creative economy — all aligned with AfCFTA priorities.

“Our collective goal is to deepen collaboration, mobilise capital, and strengthen confidence in the subnational investment ecosystem,” he added, commending Afreximbank and Woodhall Capital for supporting the NGF through blended finance and advisory services.

 AfSNET has convened investment conferences in Durban, Abuja, Cairo, and Kisumu, catalysing over $2 billion in trade and investment deals. 

Mbongue also announced that Cross River State will host the next AfSNET Investment Forum in 2026.

• …affirms Tinubu’s drive for self-sustaining clean energy market as states, REA, Dutch govt sign multi-million MoUs

Nigeria is on course to unlock an investment opportunity worth over $410 billion between now and 2060 as part of its ambitious plan to become Africa’s renewable energy hub, Vice President Kashim Shettima said on Tuesday in Abuja.

Declaring open the inaugural Nigerian Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF) 2025, the Vice President said the country’s energy transition under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is being structured to attract massive investments, expand access, and create a self-sustaining clean energy market that will power homes, industries, and innovation across the federation.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said over $23 billion will be required to bridge Nigeria’s energy access gap and connect millions still living in energy poverty, even as the administration targets a total installed capacity of 277 gigawatts by 2060.

“We are blessed with the minerals that power clean technologies, and Nigeria brings to the table youth, ambition, and untapped renewable potential. Let us seize this moment and affirm that Nigeria is ready to harness her resources, unlock her capital, and become the vibrant heartbeat of Africa’s renewable energy revolution”, the Vice President said.

Shettima, who represented President Tinubu, assured investors and development partners of the administration’s commitment to deepening policy reforms that would de-risk private capital, promote local manufacturing, and strengthen the renewable energy value chain.

“We are enhancing incentives for local manufacturing, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and deepening collaboration with state governments and investors to accelerate the emergence of a self-sustaining renewable energy market,” he stated.

He explained that the administration’s “Nigeria First” industrial strategy envisions localised renewable energy supply chains, from solar panel assembly plants in Lagos to battery recycling hubs across industrial corridors, positioning Nigeria not only as a participant but a leader in Africa’s clean energy future.

The Vice President announced that more than $400 million in new investment commitments had been mobilised under the forum, covering solar panels, smart meters, battery storage, and recycling facilities, which are expected to create over 1,500 direct jobs across multiple states.

“The Ministry of Power is working on policies that will lay the foundation for a more decentralised, competitive, and inclusive electricity market,” he disclosed, calling on development partners and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to localise technologies and invest in skills and knowledge transfer.

Shettima also urged governors to drive the establishment of renewable industrial clusters that will serve as engines of green growth across the federation.

Read Also: Nigeria has exited phase of economic instability — Shettima

Earlier, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said the forum marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s energy transformation, aligning innovation with investment to achieve large-scale local solar production and energy diversification.

He explained that the Integrated National Electricity Policy under President Tinubu provides a comprehensive framework to decentralise the sector, strengthen reforms, and unlock private capital for sustainable growth.

Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mallam Abba Aliyu, said the NREIF bridges policy with research to fast-track Nigeria’s transition toward a sustainable green energy ecosystem, stressing that Africa must not be left behind in the global clean energy race.

In a goodwill message, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, represented by Mohammed M. Malick Fall, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, pledged the UN’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s renewable energy agenda, noting that the forum exemplifies Africa’s determination to power homes, schools, and industries through clean energy.

Also speaking, the Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, Bengt van Loosdrecht, reaffirmed the Netherlands’ partnership with Nigeria in renewable energy development, describing the forum as “a milestone in the deepening of bilateral cooperation.”

In the presence of the Vice President, the Governors of Jigawa, Bayelsa, and Ogun States, along with the REA and other agencies, signed several multi-million-dollar Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with private sector players and development partners, including the Dutch government, aimed at expanding Nigeria’s renewable energy manufacturing base.

…woos investors at Bauchi investment summit

Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria has “exited its phase of economic instability,” assuring investors that there is no better time to choose the country as an investment destination than now.

Speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the Bauchi Investment Summit 2025, Shettima said the achievement was a direct outcome of the bold reforms undertaken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration since assuming office in 2023.

He recalled that the administration inherited an economy on the brink of crisis, with the debt service-to-revenue ratio at almost 100 per cent, but noted that decisive policy actions had reversed the situation.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said

“Under this administration, debt service-to-revenue has dropped below 50 per cent, GDP growth stood at 4.23 per cent as of last month, and our non-oil revenues grew by 411 per cent year-on-year”.

According to him, Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio now stands at 13.5 per cent, up from about 7 per cent a few years ago, while external reserves have grown to $43 billion as of September 2025.

“Our debt-to-GDP ratio remains at 38.8 per cent, far below the 60 per cent threshold set by our Fiscal Responsibility Act and the 70 per cent limits of ECOWAS and the World Bank,” Shettima added.

Shettima told investors that President Tinubu’s administration had taken tough but necessary decisions to remove “the termites in the timber” of the nation’s progress, including exchange rate unification and fuel subsidy removal.

“You cannot guarantee enduring growth without stability. It was this dread that inspired our bold reforms to harmonise the exchange rate regime and dismantle the fuel subsidy structure, which had become a theatre for round-tripping and rent-seeking”, he said.

He urged participants to seize the moment, saying, “Nobody builds a house in a tsunami. Nigeria has exited its phase of economic instability, and I assure investors there is no better time to choose Nigeria.”

The Vice President listed the administration’s economic priorities as job creation, food security, value-chain development, and unlocking subnational comparative advantages, stressing that these goals were “anchored on promises that can only be realised when stability is achieved.”

Shettima highlighted Bauchi State’s vast potential in agriculture, solid minerals, tourism, and renewable energy.

“Bauchi can spearhead climate-smart agriculture, commercial outgrower schemes, and agro-processing hubs linked to national and export markets. Its natural assets and cultural heritage can boost tourism, hospitality, and the creative industries”, he said.

He commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his vision in convening the summit and reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to treating every state as a development priority, noting, “An affliction to any state slows down the pace of development in other parts of the nation. We must either grow together or falter apart.”

Declaring the summit open, Shettima urged participants to go beyond rhetoric: “Let us move beyond talk and commit to concrete memoranda of understanding, set timelines, and appoint joint implementation teams. Programmes must align with social and environmental sustainability.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in his remarks, described the summit as a sign of hope but stressed that investments thrive only with the “five Ps—Politics, People, Protection, Partnership, and Progress.”

He called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors and expressed concern over challenges in the cement industry.

Governor Bala Mohammed thanked the Vice President for his support and assured investors of safety and enabling conditions.

He pledged to fight corruption and strengthen partnerships to sustain business confidence in the state.

Also speaking, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Chairman of the North-East Governors’ Forum, said Bauchi’s rich agricultural base remains key to the region’s prosperity, urging investors to take advantage of abundant resources and the ease of doing business in the North.

Former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, called for stronger public-private collaboration, while Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Abubakar Sa’ad III, urged northern leaders to ensure that summits translate into tangible results.

“The North has everything needed for development. But whatever you do, if there’s no security, you can’t really achieve anything. Our support for the government is unwavering, but we must love our country and pray for our leaders”, the Sultan said.

Among dignitaries at the event were representatives of the Governors of Oyo, Gombe, Bayelsa, and Jigawa States; former military administrators of Bauchi State, Chris Abutu Garuba and Raji Adisa; and Oriental Energy Resources Chairman, Mohammed Indimi.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians living abroad of more robust engagement in the policies and programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, pledging that their contributions will be central to the country’s developmental drive.

Speaking at a meeting with the Nigerian community in the United States on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Shettima urged citizens overseas to sustain their confidence in the nation, insisting that Nigeria is on the right track under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, but I will have to come back to the US again and have a more robust engagement with you.

“Each one of you has value-addition capabilities in your own way, and your experience is not something you can buy in the market. You have earned it. Continue to believe in Nigeria. Nigeria is on the right track. In the fullness of time, we will occupy our rightful place in the comity of nations”, the Vice President said. 

Shettima pointed to Nigeria’s improving macroeconomic fundamentals as evidence of progress, citing foreign reserves nearing the $40 billion mark, increased revenues accruing to state governments, and unprecedented infrastructure investments nationwide. 

He also highlighted youth-focused initiatives such as the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as proof of the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth.

Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, introduced some distinguished Nigerians excelling abroad to the Vice President. 

Read Also: Shettima urges businesses to take advantage of govt’s pro-business policies

She noted that the Tinubu government had prioritised diaspora issues, citing improvements in passport processing, the successful rollout of non-resident Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), and new opportunities for investment.

“Under this administration, it is easier for you to get your passport. The non-resident BVN is now working, and you don’t need to come home to get it. Most importantly, Nigeria’s economy is being transformed, and the country is now a good place to invest,” she said.

Nigerians at the interactive session expressed readiness to invest back home in key sectors including mining, healthcare, artificial intelligence, fintech, the creative industry, and agriculture. 

Among those who spoke were Amazon AI engineer Adebimpe Daniels, healthcare specialist Saratu Garba, and investor Idoni Matthew, all of whom commended government efforts to ease the business climate.

The Vice President has since arrived in Frankfurt, Germany, where he is scheduled to continue high-level engagements with development partners.

Rail transport plays a vital role in economic renewal, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said.

He said Federal Government’s will position Nigeria as the logistics hub of Africa by revitalising railway, such as Kano–Maradi modernisation.

Shettima, who spoke at the Second International Railway Conference and Expo in Abuja, underscored the need to reduce road congestion, cut carbon emissions and promote sustainable development through efficient rail networks.

The conference was sponsored by Transport Payment Solutions (TPS), a subsidiary of SecureID Group.

Founder of TPS and Group Managing Director of SecureID Group, Mrs. Kofo Akinkugbe, represented by the General Manager, Oluwole Dada, noted the firm’s strategic partnership in the journey toward sustainable transport solutions.

She lauded Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigeria Railway Corporation and others for convening the conference and exhibition.

Mrs Akinkugbe said the gathering was an opportunity to deepen collaboration and accelerate modernisation of the nation’s railway system.

“At TPS, we believe an effective rail transport system involves more than mobility.

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“It is a catalyst for economic growth, regional integration and social inclusion. As demonstrated on the Abuja–Kaduna Railway corridor, we are committed and proud to partner stakeholders in building the infrastructure for a modern railway ecosystem.”

Dada said TPS’ involvement was its national agenda to provide digital infrastructure and payment backbone for safe, efficient and inclusive transportation in Africa.

He said: “TPS brings unmatched expertise to Nigeria’s transport sector, with solutions across e-ticketing platforms, ticket vending machine, automatic gates, contactless smart cards and real-time payment systems designed to enhance efficiency, transparency and user convenience.

“Commuters will experience faster, safer and more efficient services, while operators benefit from reduced costs, improved revenue and better decision-making through data.

“The sector is central to Nigeria’s industrialisation and economic integration.

“By deploying world class digital transport solutions made in Nigeria, TPS supports government’s determination to connect cities, reduce road congestion and expand trade corridors under AfCFTA.”