The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, during the Mastercard Foundation Annual Nigeria Partner Convening held in Lagos on Wednesday.

According to the Minister, the project forms a key pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on employability, inclusivity, and sustainable job creation.

“The National Job Centres will integrate digital job matching, data tracking, and career advisory services to create a harmonised and inclusive system,” Onyejeocha said. “They form part of a national labour framework that empowers youth to contribute meaningfully to local industries and compete confidently on the global stage.”

She explained that the job centres would serve as employment and career hubs across the country, linking trained Nigerians to job openings while also improving access to reliable labour market information.

As part of the broader employment drive, Onyejeocha also unveiled the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) — a flagship initiative of the ministry aimed at bridging the gap between training and employment and enhancing youth employability.

“Our goal is not just to create jobs but to build systems that protect workers’ rights, ensure fair wages, and strengthen labour market governance,” she added.

The Minister commended the Mastercard Foundation for its long-term partnership with Nigeria under the Young Africa Works strategy, which has helped thousands of young Nigerians gain access to skills development, entrepreneurship opportunities, and job placements over the past six years.

She noted that the Foundation’s mission aligns with the government’s vision to transform skills into sustainable livelihoods, emphasising that job creation requires joint action from both the public and private sectors.

“Building an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem for work requires collective effort. We invite partners to collaborate with us in driving job access through these platforms and accelerating economic outcomes across Nigeria’s labour ecosystem,” Onyejeocha said.

Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to President Tinubu’s agenda, the Minister stressed that the Federal Government will continue implementing policies that promote employment generation, social inclusion, and economic growth.

“The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment stands ready to continue working with the Mastercard Foundation and all stakeholders to build a future where work is dignified, inclusive, and transformative,” she concluded.