The Federal Government has launched the third phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative to help cut youth unemployment in Nigeria.
The programme, run by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), will train 26,961 unemployed Nigerians in 70 demand-driven skill areas covering agriculture, entrepreneurship, public works, information technology, and technical and vocational skills.
Speaking at the launch, Labour and Employment Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Maigari, said the programme aims to help more Nigerians, especially youths, secure jobs.
He said technology, digitalisation, climate change, demographic shifts and global economic changes are rapidly reshaping the labour market.
His words: “Nigeria must therefore position its workforce to compete effectively in evolving in this evolving environment. In this regard, I want to encourage NDE to continue strengthening its focus on future-oriented skills, particularly in digital technologies, innovation, agri-agri business, green jobs, renewable energy, entrepreneurship, and other sectors with high employment potential.”
Maigari praised NDE’s digital infrastructure, ICT partnership, resettlement of beneficiaries and upgraded training centres, saying they support sustainable job creation. He also urged the agency to apply lessons from earlier phases through demand-driven training, better monitoring, longer training periods, stronger verification and wider digital skills opportunities.
“I note with concern the shortcomings identified by the NDE in not being able to pay some of the beneficiaries of the first and second, particularly the second phase. I want to assure Nigerians that we will collaborate with the agency to ensure that we do what is needed to pay all those who are due for payment.”
NDE Director-General Silas Agara said the agency and ILO developed a five-year strategic plan. The third phase will open its registration portal soon.
Agara said 3,405 outstanding graduates will receive starter packs after training. Stipends have also risen from N10,000 to N25,000, while graduate trainees will get N50,000 monthly.
NDE earlier trained 32,886 and 33,692 people in the first and second phases.
NOA DG Lanre ISSA Oniru pledged support, while NAN MD Ali M. Ali promised to use its network to mobilise Nigerians for the scheme.
