FG to train over 21,000 youth in new job scheme

In a renewed effort to combat unemployment, the Federal Government has unveiled plans to engage more than 21,782 unemployed youth in skill-building programmes as part of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI).

The initiative, championed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, is aimed at boosting youth productivity and equipping them with employable skills.

Dr. Silas Agara, Director of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), announced the development at a strategic meeting in Abuja.
The session, which involved NDE zonal and state directors, was convened to finalize preparations for the programme’s rollout. Dr. Agara lauded the first phase as a “huge success,” while emphasizing the agency’s commitment to addressing previous challenges.

He urged NDE officials to dedicate themselves to the success of the second phase, noting that the initiative would be inclusive, targeting not only youth but also adults and persons with special needs.

“This second phase is a strategic plan aimed at significantly reducing youth unemployment by enhancing the relevance, quality, and scalability of NDE’s programmes in alignment with labour market demands,” he stated.

The programme is structured around four major components: vocational skills development, small-scale enterprise creation, rural employment promotion, and special public works. According to Dr. Agara, these are designed to prepare Nigerians for both self-employment and formal job opportunities by equipping them with practical, market-driven skills.

A major feature of the upcoming phase is the full digitization of the registration process. Dr. Agara confirmed that participants will enroll exclusively online through an upgraded NDE portal. “This phase will be 100 percent digital, leaving no room for complaints from beneficiaries,” he assured, while also expressing appreciation for the public’s trust in the NDE.

Supporting this announcement, Mr. Edmund Onwuliri, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at NDE, provided technical insight into the portal upgrade. He said the revamped system includes backend customization tailored to each state, which will streamline access and participation across the country.

Post-training, participants will be able to use their unique identification numbers to apply online for business support, including resettlement packages and loans. The Abuja meeting drew representatives from across NDE’s national and state offices, signifying a coordinated effort to ensure seamless implementation nationwide.