Nigeria has launched its largest job creation scheme

A LONG awaited public works scheme has launched in Nigeria, and it is expected to created jobs for close to one million young people in the nation.

Around 1,000 Nigerians from each of the 774 local government areas in the country will be engaged through the Special Public Works programme.

The scheme is a positive step, as youth unemployment is a pressing issue in the country. Almost 14 million young people do not have jobs.

Each worker will earn N20,000 (£37.15) monthly for the work, which is roughly one third less than the Nigerian national minimum wage.

Jobs provided under the scheme are casual, not long term or full time.

For three months participants will be employed as labourers and carry out community services.

Criticism of the scheme, which started this month was seen online as people questioned the equipment that participants in the scheme could use.

Some believed they should be given more high-tech equipment.

However, Festus Keyama, Minister of State, Labour and Employment said: “It would not be financially prudent if Govt were to spend billions for expensive equipments for 3-month jobs, then spend millions again training our labourers on how to use these equipments.”

Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari approved N26 billion (£48,328,836.40) for the scheme in November of last year.

The Nigerian government has been criticised in the past, because it had delayed the program’s schedule on three occasions.

Nigeria’s political youth also put their government under worldwide scrutiny last year, as groups in the diaspora organised against the SARS police force’s brutality against young people.

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1 Comment

  1. | Oriola Odutoye

    This is good news. Anything to improve the plight and working conditions of Nigerian Youths is always welcome. Kudos to this scheme, and I hope that it can be maintained and built upon.

    Reply

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