NDE Opens Registration for 26,961 Unemployed Nigerians Under Renewed Hope Employment Initiative

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has launched the online registration portal for the third phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), with plans to train 26,961 unemployed Nigerians in market-relevant skills across the country.

Unveiling the registration portal in Abuja, the Director-General of the NDE, Silas Agara, said the program will equip beneficiaries with practical skills in 70 high-demand fields, including agriculture, entrepreneurship, information and communication technology (ICT), vocational trades and special public works.

Agara revealed that while 33,692 Nigerians successfully completed training under the program’s second phase, many beneficiaries are still awaiting their stipends and resettlement packages due to delays in the release of the 2025 capital budget.

According to him, 4,651 trainees have yet to receive their outstanding stipends, while 3,405 graduates are awaiting business starter packs and work tools needed to establish their enterprises.

He assured beneficiaries that all outstanding payments and resettlement packages would be processed once the necessary funds are released by the Federal Government.

Despite the funding challenges, Agara said the NDE remains committed to implementing the third phase of the initiative to expand access to skills development and employment opportunities for unemployed Nigerians.

He explained that the upgraded registration portal includes new features designed to improve transparency and efficiency. Applicants are now required to verify their identity using their National Identification Number (NIN), while the system automatically assigns successful applicants to the nearest training centre, prevents duplicate registrations and provides training options tailored to persons with disabilities.

The Director-General also noted that beneficiaries of the programme’s first and second phases will not be eligible to apply for the current phase, ensuring that more Nigerians have the opportunity to participate.

According to the agency, nationwide training under Phase III is expected to commence in August following the conclusion of the registration exercise.

Agara further disclosed that the NDE has developed a five-year strategic plan in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to strengthen employment creation, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development across Nigeria.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, commended the NDE for adopting a ward-by-ward beneficiary selection process, describing it as an inclusive approach that will broaden access to employment and skills training opportunities across communities nationwide.

He acknowledged the funding constraints affecting the initiative and assured beneficiaries that the Federal Government is working to secure the release of outstanding funds while investing in the upgrade of NDE skills acquisition centres and other training infrastructure.

The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is one of the Federal Government’s flagship programmes aimed at reducing unemployment by equipping Nigerians with practical skills in vocational trades, entrepreneurship, agriculture, ICT and public works, enabling them to secure employment or establish sustainable businesses.