The Federal Government has announced an exciting initiative to train 40,000 Nigerian youths in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digital skills.

This move is part of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), which aims to engage 93,731 unskilled and unemployed persons across Nigeria.

According to the Director General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Honourable Silas Agara, “The current employment initiative has been designed to engage a total of 93,731 unskilled and unemployed persons across Nigeria.

Inclusiveness has been a cardinal consideration as we designed this programme.”

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Agara explained that the program is designed to be inclusive, with a minimum of 10 persons from each of the 8,809 electoral wards in Nigeria recruited to benefit from the program.

“We have ensured that various categories of the unskilled and unemployed have been provided for within the framework of the programme, such as school leavers, school dropouts, women, graduates of tertiary institutions, retirees, and persons with special needs, among others,” he said.
Notably, 3,000 slots have been reserved for persons with special needs, with each state of the federation, including the FCT, expected to have 81 slots.

Agara noted, “I would like to add that after the training, a good number of the beneficiaries will be resettled into productive entrepreneurial lives through the provision of tools, equipment, and startup capital.”

The NDE has also ensured that the program adopts cutting-edge technology in its design and execution. Agara said, “I am delighted to inform you that 40,000 out of the 93,731 persons enrolled in this programme will be receiving training in ICT and digital skills.

This is a deliberate step by the NDE in order to equip our youths with emerging skills that will enable them become globally competitive.”

The training in ICT and digital skills is expected to equip the youths with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the digital economy. Agara emphasized, “However, those that we are not able to resettle will be linked with credit-granting institutions for further support.”

The RHEI is a significant step towards addressing youth unemployment and promoting economic growth in Nigeria.

With this initiative, the Federal Government is demonstrating its commitment to empowering Nigerian youths with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the digital age.