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Lagos, 3 October 2023 — Microsoft Africa Development Center West Africa (ADC West) proudly announces the activation of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Program (NJFP) inaugural cohort. This was made possible thanks to the support of the European Union (EU), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Commencing the week starting on October 3rd, 2023, seventeen talented Nigerian graduates embark on a one-year internship journey at the Microsoft Africa Development Center West Africa, located in Lagos, Nigeria. The NJFP represents a shared commitment to empower Nigerian graduates by providing them with real-world experience and fostering economic growth.
During their tenure, the Jubilee Fellows will not only gain invaluable skills but also actively contribute to cutting-edge technology projects. Additionally, the Jubilee Fellows will receive mentorship from leading tech professionals that will equip them with the needed skills. Microsoft ADC West, renowned for its commitment to upskilling tech talents across Africa, is delighted to support NJFP's mission of boosting the youth employment, and hence fostering innovation and economic growth in Nigeria.
Mr. Gafar Lawal, Managing Director at Microsoft ADC West, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "We extend a warm welcome to the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows as they join our engineering teams. This program perfectly aligns with our vision of driving change through technology in Africa. We believe it will not only empower these talents but also contribute significantly to the growth of the tech ecosystem in Nigeria and the continent as a whole."
For the European Union, youth empowerment and employment is a top priority of the EU-Nigeria partnership. As stressed by the EU Ambassador, Ms. Samuela Isopi, it is critical that we create bridges for the young graduates to join the employment market and reach the businesses that are seeking talent to grow and create more jobs. Thanks to the Programme, fellows gain the necessary skills to conquer the job market and launch new innovative businesses. It t is encouraging to see the difference that the EU is making in the lives of young Nigerians. The EU objective, as partners of this Programme, is to support Nigeria’s economy with the creation of green and smart jobs, and in this context the partnership with Microsoft is even more so encouraging.
In the same vein, Mr. Mohamed Yahya, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme Nigeria, noted “We are thrilled to partner with Microsoft ADC West on the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Program (NJFP) to empower Nigerian youth with skills that will contribute to their economic wellbeing. This initiative represents a significant step toward addressing youth unemployment while harnessing the immense potential of young talent.” Mr. Yahya added that, “By providing youth with real-world experience and enhancing them with digital skills will in-turn provide lasting solutions to the youth unemployment crisis. NJFP aligns perfectly with our mission of leaving no one behind. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact this program will have on the new Fellows as the embark on this one-year journey.”
Microsoft ADC West's collaboration with UNDP underscores its commitment to investing in Africa's tech talent and supporting initiatives that drive software engineering skills development.
About Microsoft:
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. For more information, news, and insights from Microsoft, please visit Microsoft's News Centre Middle East & Africa.
About the European Union:
The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political union between 27 European countries. Partnerships and development cooperation lie at the heart of the EU’s foreign policy. The EU sees international partnerships as an investment in a viable, sustainable and shared future and it upholds effective multilateralism and works with all stakeholders, since current challenges call for more multilateral governance and rules-based international cooperation. The European consensus on development sets out how the EU focuses on people, the planet, prosperity, peace and partnership in working towards the sustainable development goals and in promoting poverty eradication, human development, sustainable growth and good governance. EU-Nigeria partnership is rooted in shared values and interests and the EU recognises Nigeria’s strategic importance as Africa's most populous nation and largest economy. As young people make up 70% of Nigeria’s population, the EU’s partnership with Nigeria has a strong focus on the youth.
Learn more: https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/nigeria_en
About UNDP:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in over 170countries, UNDP helps nations build integrated and lasting solutions for people andthe planet. In Nigeria, UNDP provides technical and policy development support tothe Federal Government of Nigeria, supporting the implementation of interventions across various thematic areas to meet national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Learn more: https://www.undp.org/nigeria
For media inquiries contact: Oluwamuyemi Orimolade
Marketing and Communications Manager Microsoft ADC, West Africa
Modestus Chukwulaka
Press and Information Officer
Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS
Modestus.CHUKWULAKA@eeas.europa.eu
Christabel Chanda-Ginsberg
Public Engagement, Outreach & Partnerships Lead –
United Nations Development Programme christabel.chanda-ginsberg@undp.org
