The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has successfully trained 33,692 youths across Nigeria in the past three months, with 5,532 beneficiaries resettled with loans and starter packs under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.
NDE Director-General Silas Agara disclosed this in Benin during the closing ceremony of the agency’s skills acquisition program, which commenced in December 2024.
Represented by Edo State NDE Coordinator, Mr. Chibuzo Okoronkwo, Agara stated that the initiative aims to create employment opportunities for youths, women, and physically challenged persons.
“The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is designed to create employment opportunities, support small-scale enterprises, promote agricultural productivity, improve rural infrastructure, and provide transient jobs to foster economic growth and empower communities,” he said.
According to him, the program, which started on December 6, 2024, has trained beneficiaries in vocational skills, entrepreneurship, business management, and agricultural skills across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“This initiative has led to the resettlement of trained beneficiaries, enabling them to become self-employed and employers of labour. A total of 5,532 beneficiaries will receive loans and starter packs to start their businesses,” he added.
The Edo State Coordinator of NDE, Mr. Chibuzo Okoronkwo, explained that the initiative is built on three pillars: skills development through training and mentorship for unskilled and unemployed persons, resettlement packages providing loan facilities, access to finance, and starter packs, and job creation through collaboration with businesses and stakeholders to stimulate innovation and economic growth.
He urged beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity and use the resources wisely to reduce unemployment and poverty.
The National Productivity Centre Coordinator in Edo State, Banje Suru, advised beneficiaries to make judicious use of the resettlement tools, reminding them that the programme aims to improve their lives and that of their families.
Similarly, Ikpea Jonathan, who represented the Edo State Comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), emphasized that the initiative is designed to reduce crime by engaging citizens productively.
The NDE South-South Zonal Coordinator, Juranwa Chukwuma, reminded beneficiaries that the loans must be repaid in four years at a 9% interest rate, urging them to stay committed to repayments so others can benefit.
Speaking on behalf of the women in politics, Barr. Anthonia Asagba described the initiative as one of the Federal Government’s poverty alleviation programmes aimed at easing hardship.
During the event, cash grants and resettlement items such as sewing machines, refrigerators, mobile phone repair tools, and hairdressing equipment were symbolically presented to beneficiaries.
A beneficiary, Courage Kongo, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the economic empowerment, pledging to use the items effectively.
The initiative focuses on skills development, resettlement, and job creation to combat unemployment and drive economic empowerment across Nigeria.