VP Shettima Launches LEEP, Pledges to Build Nigeria, Calls for Nationwide Collaboration
By Abdulhamid Sani
Abuja, Nigeria – Vice President Kashim Shettima has unveiled the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), a landmark initiative aimed at realizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a Nigeria where every worker can achieve their full potential.1 Speaking at the launch in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, Shettima emphasized the administration’s commitment to upskilling and reskilling citizens for current and future job markets.
“LEEP is the fulfillment of the promise made by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to build a national ecosystem where every Nigerian worker can reach their full potential, and where technology enhances, not threatens our labour market,” Shettima declared.
The program is designed to expand employment opportunities, equip Nigerians with critical skills, and drive economic empowerment through innovation and technology.2 Shettima acknowledged the rapidly evolving global job landscape, noting, “Machines are replacing hands. Artificial intelligence is challenging intellects. Traditional employment structures are giving way to fluid, digital ecosystems.3 Yet, within this uncertainty lies a sea of opportunity, if only we are bold enough to sail it.”
LEEP targets all sectors of the economy, including the burgeoning Gig economy, and leverages technology to connect employers with a skilled and ready workforce. The Vice President stressed that the program is not just about creating jobs but about transformative change, aiming to empower Nigerians to compete in the global economy.
“The strength of this nation has always been its people. Their ingenuity, and their will to rise against the odds. This programme was inspired by the need to carry all parts of the country along, beginning from our six geo-political zones. We are laying the foundation for inclusive progress,” Shettima stated.
He also made a strong call for collaboration, urging the private sector, civil society organizations, trade unions, and international partners to join hands with the government. “We must create a workforce that is not just employable, but empowered. This is a collective assignment,” he asserted.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State pledged the support of state governors for LEEP’s successful implementation, highlighting its potential to significantly impact the economy by reducing unemployment and criminality.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha, emphasized that LEEP is an institutional shift aimed at enhancing training, upskilling, and connecting Nigerians to sustainable jobs across various sectors.
Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, Mr. Silas Agara, stated that LEEP is a bold step towards addressing unemployment and aligning employment strategies with the Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to create 2.5 million jobs in two years.4
International Labour Organisation (ILO) Country Director, Ms. Vanessa Phala, and President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, both lauded the initiative, stressing the importance of its effective implementation to ensure sustainable job creation.
With LEEP, the Nigerian government aims to usher in a new era of workforce empowerment and economic growth, fostering a nation where every citizen can thrive.
Credit: Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President).5
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