National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has launched the second phase of its Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, which targets 27,000 unemployed Nigerians in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
At the unveiling of the online application portal in Abuja yesterday, the director-general of the NDE, Silas Agara, said the programme, now 100 percent digital, builds on the successes and lessons from the first phase, which was launched in 2024 and concluded with the graduation of beneficiaries in March 2025.
Agara, who also opened the digital portal for registration, said applications commenced Monday, July 28, to Monday, August 11, 2025. Training and engagement will commence after the processing of applications between August 12 and 22, with full implementation scheduled for early September.
The DG explained that the initiative’s second phase has expanded eligibility to youths aged 18 to 45, up from the 18–35 age range used in the first phase.
According to him, applicants must have a valid National Identification Number (NIN) and apply based on their state of residence, not origin.
Agara emphasised inclusivity, stating that the programme accommodates individuals with varying educational backgrounds, including secondary school leavers, dropouts and graduates lacking employable skills.
“Our focus is on the unemployed. Whether you’re a dropout or a graduate without employable skills, this initiative is designed to equip you with over 30 demand-driven vocational skills tailored to different states.
This time around, our programme is going to be 100 percent digital. We have provided hardware, software, and internet facilities to all our 37 state offices, including the FCT, and six zonal offices to ensure real-time coordination and eliminate manual interference,” he said.
To tackle previous connectivity and accessibility challenges, especially in rural areas, the DG disclosed that the directorate relies on its over 800 job centres nationwide and the newly upgraded ICT infrastructure.
Applicants are advised to visit the nearest access points if experiencing poor network connectivity.
Agara also raised the alarm over the activities of fraudsters impersonating NDE officials and extorting applicants, warning them to stay clear of the lofty initiative.
He also warned that no financial gratification is required to access the programme and urged the public to verify information directly from the NDE’s state or zonal offices.
The initiative, which Agara described as a renewed commitment to skill-based empowerment, will train the applicants with enhanced certification and starter packages.
“We deliberately reduced the total number of participants so that the training package and starter kits will be more impactful, over 50 percent of the selected beneficiaries will be comprehensively trained and empowered to begin a new chapter,” he noted.
The launch event featured a live demonstration of the application process. Agara pledged that the process would remain transparent, secure and free from manipulation due to the real-time digital interface between state offices and NDE headquarters.
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