Nigeria Kicks Off New Job Scheme to Train Nearly 27,000 Youths

In a bid to curb the rising tide of unemployment among Nigerian youths, the federal government has launched the third phase of its Renewed Hope Employment Initiative. This programme, which is being implemented by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), aims to equip 26,961 unemployed Nigerians with skills in 70 in-demand areas such as agriculture, entrepreneurship development, public works, information technology, and technical and vocational skills. According to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Mohammed Maigari, the primary objective of this skill acquisition programme is to ensure that many Nigerians, particularly the youths, are gainfully employed. The minister emphasized the need for Nigeria to position its workforce to compete effectively in the evolving global labour market, which is being redefined by technological advancements, digitalization, climate change, demographic shifts, and global economic transformations. He encouraged the NDE to focus on future-oriented skills, particularly in digital technologies, innovation, agri-business, green jobs, renewable energy, entrepreneurship, and other sectors with high employment potential. The minister commended the NDE for its efforts in hosting its operational portal and digital infrastructure, as well as its strategic partnership for ICT skills development, successful resettlement of beneficiaries, and revitalization of training facilities. He expressed hope that the NDE would incorporate valuable lessons from previous phases, including demand-driven training programs, enhanced monitoring mechanisms, and expanded digital skills opportunities. Earlier, the Director General of NDE, Silas Agara, announced that the agency had developed a 5-Year Strategic Plan in conjunction with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to guide the implementation of its employment creation initiatives. Regarding the third phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, Agara said that the NDE would open its portal for registration of fresh applicants, who would be trained in demand-driven areas. He noted that the agency had digitalized its entire process to promote fairness, accountability, and transparency. Upon successful completion of the training, 3,405 outstanding graduate trainees would be resettled with starter packs and tools to enable them establish sustainable enterprises. The NDE has also upgraded the stipends paid to participants from N10,000 to N25,000 each, while graduate trainees would receive N50,000 as their monthly stipend throughout the duration of the programme. The DG said that the NDE had earlier concluded the training of 32,886 and 33,692 persons under the first and second phases of the employment initiative respectively. The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre ISSA Oniru, pledged the support of his agency, urging the NDE to ensure that the trainees imbibe the right attitudinal and behavioural traits needed to excel in their chosen vocation. Similarly, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mallam Ali M. Ali, assured that his organization would deploy its wide network to mobilize Nigerians to embrace the employment initiative.