The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has successfully trained 33,692 unemployed youths, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) across Nigeria in various skill acquisition programs aimed at reducing unemployment and promoting self-reliance.
The training covered vocational skills, entrepreneurship, business management, and agricultural skills. According to NDE Director-General, Mr. Silas Agara, the initiative is part of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative and officially began with a flag-off ceremony on December 6, 2024. The training for selected participants commenced on December 9, 2024.
Speaking during the resettlement of beneficiaries in Kaduna on Tuesday, Agara—represented by the NDE North-West Zonal Director, Malam Shehu Danjuma—stated that the program aimed to equip participants with in-demand skills that would enable them to become self-employed and eventually employers of labor.
Participants received training in vocational skills, entrepreneurship, business management, and agricultural skills across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). These individuals received startup loans and business equipment to help establish their enterprises. The program aims to transition beneficiaries from unemployment to self-employment and business ownership. Some beneficiaries also participated in specialized training within the public works sector to enhance employability in construction and infrastructure-related jobs.
In Kaduna State, over 1,200 individuals benefited from the initiative. Kaduna State Coordinator, Hajiya Halima Waziri, urged beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity, emphasizing that they would receive financial support and equipment to help them build sustainable businesses.
The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative aligns with the federal government’s broader strategy to tackle unemployment and create more job opportunities, particularly for vulnerable groups. With continued support, the trained individuals are expected to contribute significantly to economic growth by starting their businesses and creating employment opportunities for others.
