The registration portal for Phase III of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI) is now open, according to an announcement by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Mohammed Dingyadi. The initiative aims to train 26,961 unemployed Nigerians in 70 high-demand skills across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with training scheduled to commence in August 2026 after the registration process.
Nationwide Skills Training to Begin in August
Speaking during the launch, Dr Dingyadi explained that the initiative is designed to equip unemployed Nigerians with practical, market-driven skills that can lead to employment or self-reliance. The government will adopt a ward-to-ward selection process to ensure beneficiaries are drawn from communities across the country, promoting fairness and wider participation. The programme aligns with the Federal Government's broader agenda to reduce unemployment by expanding access to vocational training and enterprise development.
Graduate Trainees to Receive Starter Packs
As part of the initiative, the government also announced plans to resettle 3,405 outstanding graduate trainees with starter packs and work tools after completing their training. The support package is intended to help beneficiaries establish businesses or begin careers in their chosen trades, strengthening the government's push for sustainable job creation.
Government Addresses Delays in Previous Phases
Dingyadi acknowledged complaints from beneficiaries of earlier phases regarding unpaid stipends and delayed resettlement support. He attributed the setbacks to funding constraints and assured participants that the ministry is working with relevant authorities to secure the release of funds needed to settle 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," he said.
New Portal Features Enhance Transparency
Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Silas Agara, said the upgraded registration portal includes new security and verification features to improve transparency and efficiency. Applicants will be required to verify their identities using their National Identification Number (NIN), while the system will automatically prevent multiple registrations and assign applicants to training centres closest to their locations. Agara added that persons living with disabilities will be identified during registration and matched with skills programmes suited to their needs.
Previous Beneficiaries Not Eligible for Phase III
Providing an update on earlier phases, Agara disclosed that 32,886 Nigerians were trained under Phase I in 2024, with 4,683 beneficiaries receiving start-up tools and business support. He added that 33,692 people completed training under Phase II but are still awaiting resettlement packages because the 2025 capital budget has yet to be released. The delay has also affected the payment of outstanding stipends to 4,651 participants. Agara assured beneficiaries that all pending payments and support will be processed once funding becomes available. He also clarified that beneficiaries of Phases I and II are not eligible to apply for Phase III, as the government intends to extend the opportunity to a new group of unemployed Nigerians.
Broader Government Employment Push
In a related development, the federal government has unveiled a credit scheme targeting young Nigerian entrepreneurs, with plans to reach more than 500,000 beneficiaries through loans of up to N2 million each. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, announced the YOUTHCRED for Entrepreneurs initiative at a launch ceremony in Abuja on July 22, 2026. The programme is being run by the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP).
