The Federal Government has officially opened applications for the Skills-to-Jobs Initiative, a major programme designed to train 300,000 young Nigerians and link at least 240,000 of them to employment opportunities in the digital and creative economy. The launch took place simultaneously across all six geopolitical zones of the country, with the Bank of Industry (BOI) serving as the executing agency.
Programme Backed by $617.7 Million International Funding
The initiative is implemented under the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme, which is jointly financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The Bank of Industry is a co-financier and the executing agency. Six implementing partners were selected through a competitive process to deliver the training and connect participants with job opportunities.
The programme targets an employment linkage rate of at least 80%, meaning at least 240,000 of the 300,000 beneficiaries are expected to secure jobs after completing their training. Participants aged between 15 and 35 will be drawn from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Training Tracks and Inclusion Targets
Training will be delivered through Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced tracks, combining online courses with physical learning sessions. The government has set clear inclusion targets: at least 40% of participants will be female, 5% will be persons living with disabilities, and another 5% will be young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET). The implementing partners will screen and select applicants under the supervision of the BOI.
According to Vice President Kashim Shettima, the initiative was designed to move beyond training to creating a direct pathway into employment. "We are not training young Nigerians and leaving them to find their own way. We are building the bridge from skills to employment," Shettima said. He added that the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda by equipping young people with skills while helping them access jobs.
How to Apply and Expected Impact
The BOI Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Olasupo Olusi, described the Skills-to-Jobs component as one of the key drivers of the iDICE programme. He said the initiative would equip young Nigerians with relevant skills, create employment opportunities, and enable them to contribute more productively to the economy.
Eligible Nigerians living in the country can apply for the programme through idice.ng/skills-training-to-jobs. The application process is open now, and the programme is expected to run across all geopolitical zones, with the BOI overseeing the selection and training process.
