FG to Employ Over 21,000 Youths in Second Phase of Renewed Hope Initiative, Explains NDE
The Federal Government is set to engage over 21,000 Nigerian youths in the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, a programme coordinated by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) as part of ongoing efforts to reduce unemployment and promote self-reliance.
The Director-General of the NDE, Dr. Silas Agara, announced this development during a planning session in Abuja, where he revealed that a total of 21,782 beneficiaries would be captured in the new phase of the programme, which is expected to commence shortly.
Dr. Agara stated that the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative had already recorded significant success in its first phase, which was launched in December 2024. According to him, 33,692 youths were trained nationwide during that period, including a substantial number of women and persons with disabilities. Of those trained, 5,532 individuals received soft loans, starter packs, and resettlement support to establish their own small-scale businesses in various trades.
He described the first phase as a major milestone in the federal government’s drive to address youth unemployment and promote inclusive economic empowerment.
He added that in preparation for the second phase, the NDE has developed a fully digitised registration system to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accessibility. All prospective beneficiaries will be required to register online through a newly upgraded digital portal that has been tailored to reflect state-specific needs and training modules.
The director of planning, research and statistics at the NDE, Mr. Edmund Onwuliri, explained that the platform would generate unique digital identifiers for applicants, which would be used for verification and tracking throughout the duration of the programme.
The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is designed to equip young Nigerians with market-relevant vocational skills, promote small-scale enterprise development, and create opportunities through special public works programmes. Participants will receive technical and business training in areas such as agriculture, ICT, craftsmanship, and production. Upon completion of the training, successful participants will be provided with startup tools, working capital support, or job placement options through government-supported schemes.
The NDE also disclosed that it has secured institutional support from agencies such as the National Productivity Centre and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, who have pledged to work with the directorate to improve productivity outcomes and extend safety nets to beneficiaries.
These partnerships are expected to strengthen the impact of the initiative and ensure that beneficiaries are well-equipped to transition into gainful employment or entrepreneurial ventures.
With the second phase of the programme set to launch in the coming weeks, the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigerian youths through practical interventions that go beyond temporary palliatives.
The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative remains a key component of the wider Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at unlocking job opportunities, encouraging local enterprise, and rebuilding the economy through youth empowerment.
