FG to train 40,000 youths in ICT, digital skills

…Flags-off 93,731 Renewed Hope Employment Initiative 

From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

The Federal Government has announced plans to train approximately 4,000 Nigerians in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digital skills through the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI).

Additionally, among the 93,731 beneficiaries of this program, 3,000 slots have been specifically allocated for individuals with special needs, as overseen by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Silas Agara, the Director General of NDE, made this disclosure during the official launch of the RHEI at the NDE Skills Acquisition Center located in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja on Friday l.

Agara noted that each state, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will receive 81 of the reserved slots for persons with special needs. He further explained that some beneficiaries will be supported in starting productive entrepreneurial ventures through the provision of tools, equipment, and startup capital, and discussions are underway with financial institutions to ensure that every participant in the scheme receives assistance.

According to him, “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. We have ensured that a minimum of 10 persons from each of the 8,809 electoral wards in Nigeria were recruited to benefit from the 30 skills set across our four core programmed of vocational skills development, small scale enterprises, rural employment promotion and special public works.

“Furthermore, 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.

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

“However, those that we are not able to resettle will be linked with credit Granting Institutions for further support.”

The NDE Director General assured that under his watch, the directorate has ensured the adoption of cutting edge technology in the design and execution of the programme.

“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.”