Nigerian Governor Urges Youths to Tap Into Federal Government Opportunities
- Enugu Governor Peter Mbah spoke at the Peter Eze Youth Connect programme organised by the Federal Character Commission in Enugu
- Five Enugu youths received fully funded scholarships to study in the United States, sponsored by friends of Peter Eze in the diaspora
- The FCC chairman warned that Federal Government jobs are not for sale and urged youths to apply whenever vacancies are advertised
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Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Enugu State Governor Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has called on youths in the state to actively pursue the employment and skills development opportunities made available through the Federal Government.
The governor said that access, preparation and meaningful connections are the keys to unlocking potential.
Source: UGC
Mbah delivered the message through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, at the Peter Eze Youth Connect programme, which the Federal Character Commission (FCC) organised at the Enugu International Conference Centre.
The event, themed "Beyond Quotas: Unlocking Opportunities for Enugu Youths Through the Federal Character Commission," drew thousands of youths, graduates, entrepreneurs, farmers, professionals and development partners from across the state.
The governor pointed to the award of five fully funded scholarships for study in the United States as a concrete example of opportunity in action. The scholarships, sponsored by friends of Peter Eze in the diaspora, were described by Mbah as potentially life-changing for the recipients and their families.
This was contained in a statement made availabe to Legit.ng on Friday, September 11, 2026.
"Five lives. Five families. Five young people whose possibilities may be completely different because somebody created a connection. That is what opportunity looks like. It is no longer an idea. It has a face," Mbah said.
Mbah on federal character and access
While acknowledging the role of the federal character principle in ensuring fair representation in government appointments and recruitment, the governor argued that access to opportunity mattered just as much as entitlement to a quota.
"A quota tells you what you are entitled to. Access shows you what is possible," he said.
Mbah also referenced technical and skills-development programmes in China that have allowed young people from the South-East to acquire new expertise.
The governor said their return home could drive enterprise and innovation in the region.
He highlighted other initiatives under the Peter Eze programme, such as linking young farmers to international markets and providing career guidance, as evidence that representation could go beyond names on lists to actually changing lives.
He pointed to two developing partnerships in Enugu as further proof of this direction: the concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport to boost trade and connectivity, and a collaboration between the Nigerian Communications Commission and the state government to convert a Federal Government Digital Industrial Park into an Enugu Talent City and Artificial Intelligence Institute.
FCC Chair warn against jobs-for-sale mentality
FCC Chairman Mrs Ayo Omidiran told attendees that Federal Government jobs are open to every qualified Nigerian and made clear that no position is for sale.
She said the commission would push back against any agency that denies a state its rightful share of employment opportunities, and she encouraged young Nigerians to apply for vacancies as they are advertised rather than assume the outcomes are already fixed.
The event's convener, Mr Peter Eze, echoed that message, urging youths to prepare themselves thoroughly, apply for genuine openings and report anyone who demands money in exchange for a government job.
Source: UGC
Mbah approves monthly subvention for workers
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that Governor Mbah approved an additional N115 million monthly subvention for ESUT as ASUU's strike continued to disrupt academic activities.
The new funding will raise the state government's total monthly support to ESUT from N161 million to N276 million.
The Enugu SSG appealed to ASUU members at ESUT to suspend the strike and return to classrooms in the interest of students.
Source: Legit.ng
