Applications Open for iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program Targeting 50,000 Young People Across North-Central Nigeria

Eligible participants will access free training across different skill levels, alongside employability support to help them prepare for employment opportunities.

Applications are now open for the iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program, a Federal Government of Nigeria initiative offering free digital, employability and specialized skills training to 50,000 young people across North-Central Nigeria.

The program will be delivered across Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, with training designed to help participants build practical, job-relevant skills and prepare for opportunities in the digital and Business Process Outsourcing sectors.

Implemented by Tech4Dev, in a consortium with TeleSoftas and Taltrix, the program will combine virtual, self-paced and in-person learning with employability support, employer engagement, job matching and placement support.

The program forms part of the Skills-to-Jobs component of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme, which is co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), with the Bank of Industry (BOI) as the executing agency. The broader, nation-wide iDICE Skills-to-Jobs initiative targets 300,000 young Nigerians, with the North-Central intervention contributing 50,000 participants towards this target.

The program responds to the growing need for skills that align with the demands of the digital economy, helping young people build practical, job-relevant capabilities and prepare for employment opportunities. It has also built in specific measures to reach under-served segments in our society. Women, persons with disabilities and young people from under-served communities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Skills development under the program is structured across three learning levels, Foundational, Developmental and Specialized, with training areas ranging from digital literacy, customer support and data entry to data analytics, SEO writing, UI/UX, product management, coding, AI engineering, cybersecurity, animation and digital marketing, to mention a few.

Dr Olasupo Olusi, MD/CEO of Bank of Industry said:

“The Skills-to-Jobs initiative is an important part of the Federal Government’s effort to equip young Nigerians with industry-relevant digital and creative skills that can lead to meaningful employment opportunities. With a target of 300,000 young Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones, the program is designed to expand access to skills development while responding to the growing demand for talent in Nigeria’s BPO industry and the global digital economy. The Bank of Industry is pleased to work with Tech4Dev, TeleSoftas and Taltrix to extend this opportunity to young people across North-Central Nigeria.”

According to Abraham Akpan, Country Manager, Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa at Tech4Dev, the program reflects Tech4Dev’s vision of creating economic prosperity for young and underserved populations across the world.

“At Tech4Dev, we believe that skills are most valuable when they create access to meaningful economic opportunities. Through this program, we are connecting practical skills development with employability support and opportunities for employment, helping young people across North-Central Nigeria build the capabilities and confidence to participate meaningfully in the economy.”

The training will be delivered by approved training providers and aligned with the needs of the BPO and digital services sectors, giving participants exposure to the technical and professional competencies relevant to Nigeria’s outsourcing ecosystem and the wider digital economy.

Mimshach Obioha, Chief Executive Officer, TeleSoftas, added:

“Building a strong talent pipeline requires closer alignment between what young people learn and what employers need. The Program creates an opportunity to strengthen that connection by bringing industry perspectives into skills development and preparing young people for the realities of the workplace. We are pleased to contribute to an initiative that is focused on building talent that can participate meaningfully in the digital economy.”

With applications now open, eligible young people between the ages of 15 and 35 across the seven participating states in the North-Central are encouraged to apply through the official application portal. Application and participation are free, and applicants should not pay anyone to apply, gain admission, access the training or secure an employment opportunity through the program. Apply here: https://bit.ly/idiceskillstojobs

About iDICE

Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) is a program of the Federal Government of Nigeria implemented by the Bank of Industry and co-financed by the AfDB, AFD, and IsDB.

For more information: [email protected] | www.tech4dev.com