The Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme, implemented through the Bank of Industry (BoI) and co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), aims to equip participants with skills in customer service, data, digital, and back-office operations. The programme is being delivered in the South-West by Premier Startups Limited and Ethica Resolve Nigeria Limited.
The training programme will cover various roles, including customer service and contact-centre operations, telesales, lead generation, account management, data entry and management, data annotation, quality assurance, content moderation, virtual assistance, finance and human resources administration, digital marketing, social media management, content writing, graphic and UI/UX design support, as well as IT and technical support. Participants who complete the programme will receive certification and be linked with employment opportunities.
The programme has allocated 10,000 slots for Lagos, while Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states will each receive 8,000 places. The training will last between four and eight weeks and will be delivered through virtual and hybrid formats. A team of experts, including George Badejo-Adegbenga, Ejiro Jakpa, Prof. Dr Rose Ekeng-Itua, and Dr. Akanimo Odon, will oversee the programme, bringing together expertise in training, curriculum development, employer engagement, job placement, and career support.
The programme organisers have reserved at least 40 per cent of the available places for women, while unemployed and underemployed youths, first-time jobseekers, persons with disabilities, and young people not in education, employment, or training will be encouraged to apply. Applicants must be between 15 and 35 years old, reside in any of the six South-West states, and have at least an SSCE or equivalent qualification, or demonstrable functional literacy, as well as a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
Successful participants will be matched with employers, including international companies recruiting talent from the region, with opportunities potentially available on-site, remotely, or through hybrid arrangements. According to the programme organisers, work is increasingly being delivered across borders, creating opportunities for skilled talent to serve international companies without leaving their home countries.
The iDICE Programme aims to bridge the skills gap in the BPO industry and provide young people in the South-West region with employment opportunities. By providing free training and certification, the programme hopes to empower participants with the skills and knowledge required to compete in the global job market.
Applications for the programme are now open, and interested candidates can apply through the designated channels. The programme organisers have urged eligible applicants to take advantage of this opportunity to acquire new skills and enhance their employability.
Key points
- The programme has allocated 10,000 slots for Lagos, with the remaining 40,000 slots distributed among the other five South-West states.
- The training programme will cover various BPO roles, including customer service, data entry, and digital marketing.
- At least 40 per cent of the available places have been reserved for women, and unemployed and underemployed youths will be encouraged to apply.
