The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has officially commenced the registration of unemployed youths in Kaduna State under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), a flagship program of the Federal Government aimed at combating unemployment and empowering Nigerians through job creation and skills development.
The exercise, which began on July 28, will run until August 11, 2025, according to the NDE State Coordinator, Mr. Francis Ambianto, who addressed journalists at a press briefing on Monday.
Inclusive Registration Open to All Unemployed Nigerians
Ambianto emphasized that the initiative is open to all categories of unemployed persons, regardless of academic qualifications or social background.
“Skills acquisition does not have barriers. Whether you are a graduate, school dropout, or never attended school, you are eligible,” he stated.
He revealed that over 600 youths in Kaduna State are expected to benefit from this phase of the programme, which is part of a nationwide recruitment of 21,782 beneficiaries in the second phase of RHEI.
Eligible applicants between the ages of 18 and 40 are encouraged to register online at www.nde.gov.ng. Ambianto assured that the entire selection process will be merit-based and transparent, with no room for favoritism or influence.
Training Focus and Programme Streams
Ambianto highlighted that selected beneficiaries will undergo training across various empowerment programmes, including:
- Rural Employment Promotion (REP): Focused on agricultural training such as poultry farming, fishery, irrigation, and animal fattening.
- Vocational Skills Development (VSD): Covering skills like fashion design, catering, and more.
- Special Public Works (SPW): Designed to provide short-term, labor-intensive work opportunities.
- Small-Scale Enterprises (SSE): Targeting entrepreneurship training and startup support.
Participants will receive a monthly transport stipend of N10,000 during the three-month training period, and 70% of the participants are expected to access soft loans afterward to support their business startups.
Special Schemes for Graduates
In addition to the general schemes, Ambianto disclosed two exclusive programmes for Nigerian graduates:
- Graduate Coaching Scheme (GCS): Designed to train graduates as coaches to support students preparing for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations.
- Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP): Offers temporary placements in organizations aligned with the graduates’ academic background for relevant work experience.
All graduate participants will receive a monthly stipend of N50,000 for three months.
About the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI)
The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI) was launched in early 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of his administration’s commitment to reducing unemployment through skills development, job creation, and inclusive economic growth.
The initiative is coordinated by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and is designed to offer merit-based opportunities for Nigerians across the 36 states and the FCT.
What Does This Mean?
As the second phase of RHEI kicks off in Kaduna, young Nigerians are encouraged to take full advantage of this government-backed opportunity. With training, stipends, and access to funding, the programme promises not only to tackle unemployment, but also to equip beneficiaries with sustainable skills for self-reliance and economic participation.
Interested individuals can begin the application process today at www.nde.gov.ng before the August 11 deadline.
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