The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDE

  • 39 Nigerian artisans depart for Belarus under NDE’s global job placement scheme

    39 Nigerian artisans depart for Belarus under NDE’s global job placement scheme

    NDE DG says programme will end irregular migration 

    Thirty-nine Nigerian artisans have departed for the Republic of Belarus under the National Directorate of Employment’s (NDE) International Job Placement Programme, a federal government initiative designed to promote safe and regular migration pathways for skilled workers.

    The beneficiaries, all from Benue State, will take up employment opportunities in Belarus’s construction sector as part of the government’s effort to create decent jobs and reduce irregular migration.

    Speaking at a pre-departure ceremony in Abuja on Monday, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, hailed the programme as evidence that Nigerian talent is globally competitive and in high demand.

    She noted that the initiative, which is a product of collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Benue State Government, the NDE, the Benue State Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, and Enhanced Entrepreneurs Belarus Nig. Co. Ltd., reflects the value of coordinated partnerships in achieving real progress.

    Onyejeocha advised the departing workers to honour their contracts, respect their hosts, and let their professionalism and excellence serve as a positive reflection of Nigeria’s resilience and skill.

    Onyejeocha said, “As a Ministry, our mission under the Renewed Hope Agenda is clear: to ensure every Nigerian can access decent, safe, and sustainable work. The International Job Placement Programme embodies that vision, proving that Nigerian talent is not only capable but globally competitive.

    “But this is just the beginning. The world of work is changing rapidly. To stay ahead, Nigeria must deepen international partnerships that promote knowledge transfer, technology exchange, and exposure to best practices. Programmes like this equip Nigerian professionals with global insights that strengthen our domestic capacity and competitiveness.

    “By engaging globally, we exchange innovation and standards that uplift our workforce and position Nigeria as a trusted player in the global labour economy. To our departing artisans, you carry the pride of our nation. Let your professionalism and integrity speak loudly. Honour your contracts, respect your hosts, and let your excellence tell the Nigerian story of resilience and skill. Remember, success abroad must translate into growth at home.”

    The Director – General of NDE, Silas Agara, commended the Benue State Government for its confidence on NDE and its partners, both within and outside Nigeria, in ensuring that qualified Nigerians access decent jobs abroad with dignity.

    He said: “We are collectively declaring here today that young Nigerians no longer need to undertake the dangerous journeys across the Sahara Desert or risk drowning in the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe. 

    “All they need now are skills, competency, and the support of any subnational government to benefit from the International Job Placement Programme.”

    Agara explained that beyond its role in creating mass employment for the unskilled and unemployed, the NDE also has a statutory mandate to facilitate job linkages. 

    He said that the collaboration between NDE and Enhanced Entrepreneurs Belarus Nig. Co. Ltd., which began in 2019, has successfully secured employment opportunities for Nigerian artisans in various construction fields in Belarus.

    “We reached out to all State Governments to partner with EBNC in exploring opportunities in the booming construction sector in the Republic of Belarus for the benefit of our skilled artisans.

    “Beyond the immediate advantage of decent jobs, this programme offers Nigeria an open door to the smooth transfer of skills and technology, as the participants will be exposed to world-class standards in construction skills and practices which they can transfer to Nigeria eventually,” he said. 

    Agara expressed confidence that the artisans, who are the pioneer beneficiaries of the initiative, would uphold their contractual obligations and serve as worthy ambassadors of both Benue State and Nigeria.

    “I cannot overemphasize the need for them to show themselves as worthy ambassadors of Benue State and the Nigerian Nation in the diligent discharge of their duties and general conduct in Belarus,” he stated.

  • NDE closes portal as 411,906 applicants jostle for 41,307 vocational training

    NDE closes portal as 411,906 applicants jostle for 41,307 vocational training

    The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has closed the portal for vocational training for unemployed Nigerians under the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, (RHEI) of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The portal was opened on July 28 for Nigerians to register for the training programme.

    At the close of the portal on Monday, 411,906 unemployed Nigerians between the age of 18 and 45 years had applied for the programme.

    Only 41,307 successful applicants will participate in the programme slated for September at the conclusion of screening. 

    Director-General of NDE, Silas Agara disclosed this in Abuja when he addressed journalists on Wednesday.

    The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative was launched as a flagship effort under the current administration to combat unemployment by equipping unskilled Nigerians with relevant vocational skills and tools to become self-reliant.

    About 93,000 Nigerians benefited from the first phase of the initiative implemented across the country. 

    He said that the initial plan was to engage 27,000 persons but increased the number of prospective beneficiaries to 41,307, as a result of some development partners who indicated interest to support the programmes. 

    Giving a breakdown of applicants, the DG said that about 109,566 applications were received by the agency from the Northwest; 93,724 from Northeast; 83,924 North Central; 56,118 from South West; 38,628 South -South and 29,946 from the South East.

    He added that about 14,000 applicants of the 41,307 will be settled by the agency after the vocational training.

    Agara said, “At this juncture, I want to inform Nigerians that as at the time we shut down the portal by 11:59 on Monday 11 August, a number of 411,906 persons successfully applied for the employment programme. And prior to some development partners who have indicated interest to support NDE, we have also increased the number of those that will benefit from the Initiative from the initial 27,000 to 41,307. This is almost a hundred percent increase from the initial figure.

    “Across the 37 States of the Federation including FCT, the selection process has started and at least 4 persons from each electoral ward will make the list of the beneficiaries. The NDE is ensuring transparency in the whole process and that we can bet you on.

    Read Also: Executive Order on Pharma tax waivers underutilised, NIPRD survey shows

    “We told you earlier that everything about this programme will be done via online, therefore we are ensuring that it is only those who registered online and meet the required criteria that will be selected.

    “Processing of applications commenced from 12 August and will last till 22 August, 2025. Final approval of the application and notification of the selected participants and posting will be done from 25 to 29 August, while the flag office of the training will be conducted on September 4 nationwide and this will herald the commencement of the training.”

    Agara said that the employment training programme was opened to all Nigerians to apply including persons with disabilities. 

    “Therefore, every Nigerian who has applied will be given equal opportunity accordingly to benefit from the Initiative,” he added. 

  • NDE opens portal for vocational training of 27,000 unemployed Nigerians

    NDE opens portal for vocational training of 27,000 unemployed Nigerians

    The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) yesterday opened the online registration portal for the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, (RHEI) of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    About 16, 470 Nigerians after the opening of the portal on Monday within an hour applied for various vocational training.

    The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative was launched as a flagship effort under the current administration to combat unemployment by equipping unskilled Nigerians with relevant vocational skills and tools to become self-reliant.

    About 93,000 Nigerians benefited from the first phase of the initiative implemented across the country. 

    Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Director – General of NDE, Silas Agara said that the headquarters will monitor the process by the state and zonal offices.

    He said that only Nigerians who possess the National Identity Number, (NIN) were eligible to apply for the programme.

    The former deputy governor of Nasarawa State said: “As we speak, we have robustly provided software and hardware, as well as internet facilities to all the 37 States of the Federation including FCT, so that they can link to the NDE Headquarters for the implementation of this second phase and help us achieve hundred percent digital success. These facilities are made available even in all our six zonal offices. 

    “The Federal Government through the NDE wants youth from 18 to 45 years to apply online to be able to benefit from the second phase of the program that will consist of 27,000 beneficiaries.

    “As you witness the opening ceremony with a demonstration of how to fill the form, the headquarters will monitor the process by the state and zonal offices.

    “We are happy that from the opening of the portal, within an hour, about 16,470 Nigerians have applied.

    “Beneficiaries will be engaged in over 30 different skills. The skill sets vary from.state to state.What is applicable to Abia may not be in Adamawa. We planned it in such a way that state-based skills, that is, certain skills that are very lucrative in specific states are considered.”

    Read Also: NAF strike kills ISWAP commanders, fighters in Borno

    He said the portal: (www.nderegistrationportal.ng ) would be open for two weeks from July, 28th – August 11.

    According to Agara, the only change from the first phase of the programme was that applicants can now register in their state of residence they want to train and not their state of origin.

    He added that the NDE would collaborate with the Nigerian Data Protection Council (NDPC) for the  protection of data of applicants.

    The Director Planning, Research and Statistics at the NDE, Mr. Edmund Onwuliri said that only 27,000 would be trained in this second phase and subsequent phases would be held for youth to acquire skills.

    The Director of Inspectorate, Mrs Steve Olayinka, said 800 centers have been accredited to train the beneficiaries.

    ICT consultant, Mr. Silas Nuhu said the portal would not register those that have benefited from the first phase.

  • NDE to train 21,000 unskilled Nigerians in phase 2 of RHEI

    NDE to train 21,000 unskilled Nigerians in phase 2 of RHEI

    The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has announced plans to train not less than 21,000 unskilled Nigerians in the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI).

    About 93,000 Nigerians benefited from the first phase of the initiative implemented across the country.

    Director-General of NEW, Silas Agara, disclosed this in Abuja during a one-day strategic implementation of the RHEI second phase meeting involving all state coordinators, zonal directors, and top officials of the NDE.

    The meeting was aimed at finalising modalities and timelines for the commencement of the second phase of the initiative, which has now gone digital.

    The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative was launched as a flagship effort under the current administration to combat unemployment by equipping unskilled Nigerians with relevant vocational skills and tools to become self-reliant.

    Agara, who spoke with reporters in an interview, said, “We want to thank Mr. President for the support given to NDE to implement the first phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, which was launched last year. We had a successful launch and a timely completion of the first phase of the program, which was very successful.

    “For the second phase, we are working with a minimum of 21,000. But like I said, those numbers can go up. We are being careful so that states can exhaust the allocation given to them. Once resources are made available, we can increase those numbers. We have the capacity.”

    Agara noted that many initially doubted the capacity of the agency to successfully implement the programme, given past experiences.

    “A lot of people didn’t believe we were able to roll out such a program and implement it successfully. They were still looking at NDE from the eyes of the previous programs. But to God be the glory, we’ve been able to change the narrative and tell Nigerians that good things can come from the present crop of NDE staff that we’re working with,” he said

    According to him, the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is taking a step forward by adopting a 100 per cent digital approach.

    He said, “This time around, we are making the program 100% digital and launching the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.”

    He explained that the meeting was convened to allow for collaborative planning ahead of the roll-out.

    Read Also: 1,000 youths benefit from career development training in Yola

    Agara said, “We’ve invited all our state directors, state coordinators, zonal directors, to be here for us to conclude on the timelines for launching the second phase of the program, because it’s not our intention to load the program on our state coordinators. We want to collectively agree on timelines and phases of implementing the program.”

    He said that payment of stipends, which posed a challenge in the first phase, is also being re-evaluated.

    “Again, we are here to agree on the nature of payment of stipends due to beneficiaries, because that has been a very big challenge, given the platform we used to pay stipends. We need to fine-tune those details so we don’t have challenges with our beneficiaries,” Agara stated.

    He added, “If they complain, that means we are not doing what we are supposed to do. In the second phase, we don’t expect the kind of complaints that came up in the first phase regarding payment issues.”

    The DG added that NDE is also prioritising local content and grassroots relevance in its skill training selections.

    “We’re looking at the choice of skill sets on a state basis so that we take local content into consideration from states that will be implementing those programs. That is very key in the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative,” he said.

    Agara added, “The first phase of the program was a huge success. We were able to adhere to our timelines. Despite the challenges of implementation, we completed the program and disbursed empowered resettlement startup kits to our beneficiaries appropriately. We promised to deliver, and we delivered.”

    He said the database of beneficiaries is already in place, generated from NDE systems and that external support will likely scale up the programme.

    “Last year, we had support from some NGOs and were able to go to a higher number. This time around, we are working with some NGOs that will come in, and once they come in, those numbers can still go up,” he noted.

    Agara also disclosed that development partners are collaborating with the agency.

    “We are working on signing an MoU with them. Those we trained last year have been requested by development partners for further support. We’ll make the new list available again this time,” he stated.

    He stressed that partner banks and organisations will assess the trainees’ capacity and provide tailored support.

    “It’s not for us to dictate to the bank what to give them, but for the bank to see what they are interested in doing, and to carry out a needs assessment of all the beneficiaries. That will form the packages that development partners will make available to them,” he explained.

  • FG gives loans, starter packs to 5,532 NDE trainees

    FG gives loans, starter packs to 5,532 NDE trainees

    The Federal Government has resettled 5,532 beneficiaries who completed their training under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) through the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative nationwide, providing them with soft loans, starter tools, and equipment to kick-start their businesses.

    The Director – General of NDE, Silas Agara, disclosed that in the last three months, the agency has successfully trained 33,692 unemployed Nigerian youths, women, and Persons Living with Disabilities in various demand-driven skills, including vocational skills training, entrepreneurship, and business management.

    He explained that the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is built on three core pillars: Skills development – Providing training and mentorship opportunities to equip unskilled and unemployed persons; resettlement packages – Offering loan facilities, access to finance, and starter packs and job creation – Collaborating with local businesses, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to create job opportunities, stimulate innovation, and drive economic growth.

    Agara said this during the disbursement of the resettlement tools, equipment, and soft loans to beneficiaries on Tuesday in Abuja.

    “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address unemployment and promote economic development. This initiative underscores our commitment to creating a brighter future for all, where everyone has access to meaningful work and opportunities for growth,” Agara stated.

    He assured beneficiaries that the NDE remains committed to supporting them as they establish their businesses, urging them to take full advantage of the opportunity to drive economic growth and development.

    Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who disbursed the resettlement tools, equipment, and soft loans to beneficiaries, described the initiative as evidence to the current administration’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians, particularly youths and vulnerable groups.

    She said the beneficiaries were fortunate to be among those empowered with financial support and essential equipment, as many others trained by the NDE are yet to be resettled due to financial constraints.

    The minister said: “The employment creation program we are celebrating today was meticulously designed to equip thousands of unemployed Nigerians with practical skills in various trades and vocations.

    Read Also: FG to link social register to NIN for humanitarian crisis

    “Through the dedication of the NDE, these beneficiaries have undergone rigorous training, acquiring skills that will enable them to become self-reliant and productive members of society.

    “Training alone is not enough. To translate these skills into sustainable and decent livelihoods, beneficiaries must be supported with the necessary tools, equipment, and financial resources to kick-start their ventures. This is why today’s resettlement exercise is a crucial milestone in our collective journey toward economic empowerment.”

    While appealing to philanthropists, corporate organisations, and development partners to assist the NDE in ensuring trained beneficiaries are fully resettled, the Minister urged recipients to seize the opportunity and make the most of their skills and resources to build sustainable businesses, create jobs for others, and contribute to national economic growth.

    “As a government, we will continue to support and expand initiatives that create employment, reduce poverty, and build a prosperous future for all Nigerians,” she added.

  • We didn’t ask unemployed youths to register, says NDE

    We didn’t ask unemployed youths to register, says NDE

    The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has distanced itself from the message circulating on social media urging unemployed persons to register at any NDE office nationwide.

    NDE said the message is fake and did not emanate from its office.
    The Directorate urged the general public to disregard the message in its entirety and refrain from acting on it.

    NDE management also said any official announcement, programme or directive from it are communicated through verified channels such as its official website, social media handles, offices nationwide and recognized media outlets.

    The agency stated in a disclaimer: “The attention of the management of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has been drawn to a message circulating on social media urging unemployed persons to register at any NDE office nationwide, claiming the registration will last for three weeks and encouraging the public to share the information widely.

    “The NDE wishes to categorically state that this information is false and did not originate from us. The public is advised to disregard the message in its entirety and refrain from acting on it.

    “Any official announcements, programmes, or directives from the NDE are communicated through verified channels such as our official website, social media handles, offices nationwide and recognized media outlets.

    “We urge the public to verify any information attributed to the NDE to avoid being misled by false or unauthorized communications.”

  • TVET, NDE partner

    TVET, NDE partner

    Chairman, TVET–UK-Nigerian Limited, Dr. Adeleke Adefala, has commended the Director-General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mallam Abubakar Fikpo, for its skills acquisition training and entrepreneurship development towards job provision for the unemployed.

    Read Also: IGP deploys mobile policemen to Kuriga over abduction

    Adefala gave the commendation when his organisation visited the management of NDE at the Directorate’s headquarters in Abuja. He said a lot had been done by the NDE in skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development to provide viable employment options for the unemployed.

    He called on the Federal Government to involve NDE in finding solutions to unemployment.

  • Unemployment: we will upscale job creation next year, says NDE DG

    Unemployment: we will upscale job creation next year, says NDE DG

    The director-general of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Abubakar Fikpo, has said the agency has begun reviewing its plans and programmes as part of its attempts to meet new job creation targets next year.

    He said the NDE was committed to the provision of innovative ideas to scale up its job employment creation models that will continue to complement the microeconomic policies of the federal government.

    Fikpo said the organisation was consciously working to broaden the scope of job creation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    The director-general said the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, had given the agency a matching order to ensure the creation of more jobs for Nigerian youths.

    He said: “NDE is poised to create more jobs, especially in the hinterland of the country through our various schemes such as the School-on-Wheels (SOW) scheme. The scheme will be re-engineered and equipped to provide training facilities to communities where there are inadequate or non-existent facilities for vocational skills training.

    “This is to provide equitable and inclusive opportunities for jobs and self-reliance to Nigerians whether in urban, semi-urban or rural communities.”

    Read Also: $11b Judgement: Nigeria wins again, London court denies P&ID appeal

    In a statement on Friday in Abuja, Fikpo said the agency was reviewing its schemes and programmes.

    According to him, serious attention is being given to all the methods of operations of the NDE.

    He said: “We are fostering collaboration with other government agencies, private sector organisations, donor agencies, and philanthropists. The reality is that the government has a lot of responsibilities that involve the utilisation of money, but unfortunately, resources are very scarce.

    “This is therefore why we are very serious about collaborating with all and sundry henceforth to ensure the expansion of our schemes and programmes.”

    Regarding the persisting unemployment crisis in Nigeria, Fikpo said the high rate of unemployment was a function of the geometric rise in population and ignorance of available opportunities for skills acquisition and self-employment by diverse unemployment groups in Nigeria.

    He added that the NDE had trained and empowered many graduates in tertiary institutions, school leavers, and dropouts through different skills acquisition schemes and programmes.

    In addition, Fikpo said that NDE had assisted many with soft loans to kick-start businesses, noting that it was geared to do more in the year 2024.

    According to him, in the past, many unemployed persons in the country were reluctant to key in and utilise the vast opportunities of skills acquisition programmes as alternatives to the unavailable white-collar jobs.

    However, he said there had been a serious positive change.

    He said: “As the year 2023 winds down, it is worthy of note that NDE has done tremendously well in its job creation programmes.

    “Despite the challenge of global economic depression that equally affected government’s resources, the NDE is proud to say that it provided job opportunities to many unemployed persons and put smiles on their faces.”

  • ‘Govt will consolidate on NDE’s achievement’

    ‘Govt will consolidate on NDE’s achievement’

    Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Hon Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha, has said the Federal Government will ensure that those trained by National Directorate of Employment (NDE) successful beneficiaries, do not relapse into unemployment market, thereby consolidating on the achievement of the Directorate.

    The Minister gave the assurance while fielding questions from reporters after the inspection of products and services paraded by the NDE successful beneficiaries at the 44th edition of Kano International Trade Fair in Kano.

    She said: “NDE was established to provide skills towards the creation of blue collar jobs. I am happy to see NDE beneficiaries who are very successful, people who have been trained as far back as 2008 and have been feeding their families with their products, some of which are of international standard.

    All they need is government backing to optimize their products and get the right access.

    “Our intent at this particular point in time is to provide support for those who have been trained by these successful beneficiaries and ensure that they are empowered and do not relapse to the unemployment market. Some of them train as much as 70 people per month; we shall ensure they also become successful and able to provide for their families too.

    “The summary of it all is that if you come to the NDE, you can be employed without being employed by another person or organization. You can be self-employed. I am happy with what NDE is doing.”

    Read Also: Ojeikhoa wins Marketing Person of the Year award in Kenya 

    Earlier in her keynote, the Minister said the timing of the trade fair was apt as it complements President Bola Tinubu’s trapping of a sustainable course for Nigeria’s prosperity. She said the government, aside from making efforts to clear inherited billions of dollars, has also established a committee to reduce tax burdens on Nigerians. She assured that the present administration will reverse the worrisome trend in the economy, saying, the government is working assiduously towards attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.

    Director-General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, said in line with the theme of the Fair, Economic Diversification: Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development, the Directorate, aside from providing skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development opportunities to many Nigerians, has recently strengthened many macro enterprises of its beneficiaries through soft loans to ensure sustainability.

    He said NDE is willing to empower as many people as possible under the administration of President Tinubu

    NDE’s participation in International Trade Fairs, according to him, is to provide opportunities for the beneficiaries of various skill acquisition programmes to showcase the effort and commitment of the federal government through the NDE at self-employment creation.

    The President of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), Alhaji Garba Imam, appreciated the Minister of State and the NDE for their support in building the chamber over the years. Spotlights of the events were the exchange of souvenirs, group photographs and inspection of NDE pavilion and few others.

  • FG inaugurates committee to probe NDE programmes

    FG inaugurates committee to probe NDE programmes

    The federal government has set up a committee to investigate programmes carried out by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

    Speaking at the Inauguration of the committee, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, stated that the committee was tasked with the responsibility of investigating the current programmes of NDE between January till date to meet with President Bola Tinubu’s expectation for job creation.

    In a statement by her special adviser (media), Emameh Gabriel, the minister explained that any employment programme that does not change the status of the employee, economically, was not employment.

    Read Also: FG restates commitment to end HIV/AIDS by 2030, unveils national strategy

    According to her, an employee is supposed to add value and have a target.

    She said the National Directorate Employment (NDE) is a federal government agency that is responsible for the implementation of employment programmes and policies and is also charged with the responsibility to provide a variety of services to job seekers, including vocational training, job placement, and entrepreneurship development.

    The minister urged members of the committee to interact with the beneficiaries of the NDE programmes to know their needs and scope.

    She also charged the committee to come out with a report on the present state of NDE, which will be used to improve the effectiveness of the Directorate’s programmes.

    The Committee has one week to submit its report.

    Members of the Committee are Chris Amadi, Director, Policy, Research and Analysis – Chairman; Isaac Okehi, Director, Finance and Accounts – Secretary and others.

    The minister also expressed her appreciation to the President for his commitment to job creation.