The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has concluded the nationwide resettlement of 5,532 beneficiaries trained in various skills under its Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.
The Director-General of the NDE, Dr Silas Agara, disclosed this on Sunday during the agency’s Special Day at the ongoing 36th Enugu International Trade Fair, themed: “Developing Nigeria’s Industrial Sector SMEs for Economic Advancement and Global Recognition.”
Agara, represented by Mr Edmond Owuliri, Director of Public Research and Statistics at the NDE, said the initiative was designed to equip unskilled and unemployed Nigerians with demand-driven skills to enable self-employment, wealth creation, and poverty reduction.
He noted that this year’s trade fair theme aligns with the core mandate of the NDE and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the agency has consistently worked to create jobs and empower citizens through a range of targeted programmes. These include:
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Small Scale Enterprises Programme: Encourages entrepreneurship and skills acquisition to foster self-reliance.
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Rural Employment Promotion Programme: Expands employment opportunities in rural areas through sustainable agricultural practices, helping to reduce poverty and inequality.
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Special Public Works Programme: Engages unemployed individuals in community-based public works and infrastructure projects, offering stop-gap employment.
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Vocational Skills Development Programme: Provides vocational training to enhance employability and competitiveness in the labour market.
“These programmes have played a key role in promoting economic growth, reducing unemployment, and improving livelihoods across Nigeria,” Agara said.
He emphasised the importance of partnerships in driving sustainable development and urged government agencies, private sector players, and civil society organisations to collaborate with the NDE in supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“Together, we can build a more inclusive and prosperous economy that benefits all Nigerians,” he added.
Earlier, the President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Chief Odeiga Jideonwo, praised the NDE for its consistent role in SME development and job creation. He also commended the agency’s regular participation in the fair to showcase its services, available to Nigerians at no cost.
