The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the launch of its iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Programme, aimed at providing free digital skills training to 50,000 young people across North-Central Nigeria. The programme, which is part of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises initiative, targets youths aged between 15 and 35 in Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory. Applications are now open for eligible candidates.
The programme is designed to equip participants with practical skills for employment opportunities in the digital services and Business Process Outsourcing sectors. Training will be delivered at three levels: Foundational, Developmental, and Specialised, through virtual, self-paced, and physical learning. Courses will cover areas including digital literacy, customer support, data entry, data analytics, SEO writing, UI/UX, product management, coding, artificial intelligence engineering, cybersecurity, animation, and digital marketing.
The programme will also provide employability support, employer engagement, job matching, and placement assistance to participants. According to Bank of Industry Managing Director, Olasupo Olusi, the initiative is designed to address the growing demand for digital talent. He added that the programme would expand access to skills development while responding to opportunities in Nigeria's BPO industry and the global digital economy.
The Skills-to-Jobs initiative targets 300,000 young Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones. Tech4Dev Country Manager for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, Abraham Akpan, said the programme would link skills acquisition with employment opportunities. He emphasised that skills are most valuable when they create access to meaningful economic opportunities.
Women, persons with disabilities, and young people from underserved communities are particularly encouraged to apply for the programme. TeleSoftas Chief Executive Officer, Mimshach Obioha, highlighted the importance of aligning training with employer requirements to develop a skilled workforce. The programme is being implemented by Tech4Dev in partnership with TeleSoftas and Taltrix, while the Bank of Industry is the executing agency.
The programme is co-financed by the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and the Islamic Development Bank. The organisers stressed that both application and participation are free, warning applicants not to pay anyone for admission, training, or employment opportunities under the programme.
The iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Programme aims to equip young Nigerians with industry-relevant digital and creative skills. With its comprehensive training and employability support, the programme is expected to have a positive impact on the country's youth and economy.
Key points
- The programme targets youths aged between 15 and 35 in seven states and the Federal Capital Territory.
- The programme is part of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises initiative, which targets 300,000 young Nigerians.
- The programme provides employability support, employer engagement, job matching, and placement assistance to participants.
