The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has formally opened its online registration portal for the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), a flagship youth-focused empowerment programme under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Launched to tackle Nigeria’s deepening unemployment challenge, the initiative aims to equip thousands of unskilled Nigerians with practical vocational skills, empowering them to become job creators rather than job seekers. The new phase targets 27,000 beneficiaries nationwide, and interest in the programme surged immediately after the portal went live. Within the first hour of its activation on Monday, over 16,470 Nigerians had already applied.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja, the Director-General of NDE, Silas Agara, described the swift response as a strong indicator of the programme’s relevance and growing public trust in government-led skills acquisition schemes. He reaffirmed the NDE’s commitment to transparency and efficiency, stating that only applicants with a valid National Identity Number (NIN) would be eligible.
“This initiative is fully digital. We’ve provided state-of-the-art software and internet infrastructure across all our 36 state offices, including the FCT and six zonal headquarters, to ensure seamless coordination and centralized monitoring from our headquarters,” Agara said.
He added that the Federal Government, through the NDE, is targeting Nigerian youth between the ages of 18 and 45 for this second phase, as part of its broader strategy to drive youth inclusion in national development through hands-on skills.
Beneficiaries will be trained in over 30 different vocational skills, carefully selected based on the unique economic landscape of each state. These include trades like electrical installation, catering, tailoring, solar panel installation, welding, carpentry, and digital entrepreneurship. Agara explained that this state-by-state tailoring of the curriculum is intended to ensure that the skills taught are both relevant and economically viable in each region.
“What is applicable in Abia State might not be useful in Adamawa. That is why we took time to design a programme that reflects the local realities and economic strengths of each region,” he said.
The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is one of several people-oriented programmes launched under the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the Tinubu-led administration. The first phase of the initiative recorded over 93,000 beneficiaries who received vocational training and starter packs to launch their businesses across the country.
With this second phase, the government hopes to not only scale up impact but also integrate more youth into Nigeria’s informal economy, which accounts for a large portion of national employment. By investing in skills training, the administration is betting on human capital development to reduce poverty, boost productivity, and promote self-sufficiency.
The NDE emphasized that monitoring mechanisms have been put in place to ensure effective implementation and accountability throughout the programme lifecycle. From application and selection to training and post-training support, every stage will be closely supervised by both state and federal teams.
The Directorate also assured the public that no fees are required at any stage of the process, warning against fraudulent agents or intermediaries.
MSMEAfrica previously report this opportunity,you can check here to see how to apply. As Nigeria continues to face growing economic pressures, initiatives like RHEI offer a practical pathway toward empowering citizens and laying the groundwork for a more resilient and inclusive economy. With strong government backing and growing public interest, the programme is poised to serve as a model for future employment and skills development interventions in the country.
