The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has launched Phase Two of its Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), a programme designed to reduce unemployment in Nigeria by providing citizens with practical vocational and digital skills aligned with the demands of today’s job market.
Director-General of the NDE, Mr Silas Agara, announced the launch of the initiative’s digital registration platform on Monday in Abuja. He explained that the second phase of the programme would be fully digitised, marking a significant step towards greater transparency, inclusiveness, and efficiency in implementation.
To support this digital rollout, Agara said the NDE has deployed enhanced infrastructure—including upgraded hardware, software, and internet connectivity—across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This robust setup, he added, is expected to ensure a smooth and effective registration process nationwide.
Applicants interested in participating in the programme are required to have a valid National Identification Number (NIN) and must reside in any of Nigeria’s 36 states or the FCT, regardless of their state of origin. Eligible candidates must be aged between 18 and 45 years. The initiative offers training in more than 30 vocational and digital skills, carefully tailored to meet the distinct economic needs of each region. Agara emphasised that the programme’s content has been customised to align with local job market realities, noting that economic demands in Abia, for instance, differ significantly from those in Adamawa.
Registration for the programme will be open from 28 July to 11 August 2025 via the official portal at www.nderegistrationportal.ng. Processing of applications will take place between 12 and 22 August 2025.
The NDE Director-General warned applicants and the general public to be cautious of fraudsters, stressing that no payments are required at any stage of the registration or participation process. He urged Nigerians to rely solely on official NDE communication channels and to report any suspicious activity to NDE headquarters or its state offices.
To facilitate a smooth rollout of the initiative, Agara added that NDE job centres are already operational in all 36 states and the FCT. He affirmed that the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative forms part of the federal government’s broader commitment to empowering citizens through job creation and long-term capacity development.
