By Michael Oche
The Federal Government on Thursday commenced online registration for the third phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), targeting 26,961 unemployed Nigerians for vocational and entrepreneurship training in 70 market-driven skills across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The initiative, being implemented through the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), is expected to broaden access to employment opportunities by equipping beneficiaries with practical skills for self-reliance, while also resettling thousands of participants from the previous phase with starter packs and work tools.
The government also announced that 3,405 outstanding graduate trainees from the previous phase of the programme would be resettled with starter packs and work tools upon completion of the initiative, as part of ongoing efforts to stimulate job creation, promote self-employment and reduce unemployment across the country.
Speaking at the launch of the registration portal in Abuja, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, said the programme forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at tackling unemployment through skills development and entrepreneurship.
According to the minister, beneficiaries would be drawn from all the 8,809 political wards nationwide to ensure fairness, inclusiveness and equitable distribution of opportunities.
He said the ward-based selection process would enable the programme to reach grassroots communities and ensure that unemployed Nigerians in both urban and rural areas benefit from the intervention.
Dingyadi, however, acknowledged the concerns of beneficiaries of previous phases over the delay in the payment of stipends and the distribution of resettlement packages, attributing the setback to funding constraints.
He assured affected participants that the ministry was working closely with the relevant government agencies to secure the release of funds and fulfil all outstanding obligations.
“I wish to assure all affected beneficiaries that this Ministry is fully aware of the matter and is working with the relevant authorities to ensure the release of the necessary funds so that all outstanding obligations can be met without further delay.
“Government remains committed to ensuring that every eligible beneficiary receives his or her entitlements as soon as the funds are made available,” the minister said.
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Silas Agara, said the Phase III registration portal had been significantly upgraded to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability in the selection process.
He explained that applicants would be required to authenticate their identities using their National Identification Number (NIN), while the digital platform had been designed to automatically prevent multiple registrations and assign successful applicants to training centres closest to their places of residence.
Agara added that the portal also incorporates special provisions for persons living with disabilities, enabling them to be identified and enrolled in skills programmes suited to their abilities.
Giving an account of previous interventions, the NDE boss disclosed that 32,886 unemployed Nigerians benefited from Phase I of the initiative in 2024, with 4,683 beneficiaries already resettled with business start-up tools and equipment.
He added that although 33,692 Nigerians successfully completed training under Phase II, the release of resettlement packages had been delayed following the non-release of the 2025 capital budget.
According to him, the funding challenge has equally stalled the payment of outstanding stipends to 4,651 trainees.
“The moment the 2025 Capital Budget is released, we will move immediately to clear every outstanding obligation, including stipends and resettlement support for beneficiaries,” Agara assured.
The NDE Director-General further clarified that beneficiaries of Phases I and II would not be eligible to participate in Phase III, explaining that the agency intends to expand the reach of the programme by giving fresh opportunities to another set of unemployed Nigerians.
He disclosed that registration would be conducted online, after which shortlisted applicants would undergo verification before nationwide training commences in August 2026.
“The launch of the third phase is part of the targeted effort of the Federal Government to combat unemployment through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development and enterprise support under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.” Agara added.
