NDE graduates 33,692, set to combat unemployment in Nigeria
…We’re poised to eradicate unemployment in Nigeria — DG
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has successfully trained 33,692 individuals across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through its three-month Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.
Of this total, 5,532 beneficiaries have been provided with loans and starter packs to enable them to establish their own businesses.
Speaking at the resettlement ceremony for beneficiaries in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the Director-General of NDE, H.E. Silas Agara, stated: “Today marks a major milestone in our collective efforts to tackle unemployment and drive economic progress. This initiative reinforces our dedication to building a future where everyone has access to gainful employment and opportunities for advancement.”
Represented by the Rivers State Coordinator of NDE, Mrs Maureen Okeji, Agara added that the success of the initiative was made possible through collaboration with various partners.
He expressed appreciation to the Ministers of Labour and Employment for their supervisory role, noting that their backing played a pivotal role in the achievements of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative.
The Director-General also commended the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities for its support in mobilising and managing individuals living with disabilities throughout the programme’s duration.
Recognition was also given to state and local government authorities, traditional institutions, and the legislature for their contributions to the successful execution of the programme.
Assuring beneficiaries of continued support from the NDE, Agara urged them to take full advantage of the “lifeline” provided, using the resources at their disposal to establish businesses and contribute to economic growth.
The initiative, which officially commenced on 9 December 2024 following its launch on 6 December 2024, was structured around three core pillars—skills development, resettlement, and job creation. It focused on vocational training, entrepreneurship and business management, as well as agricultural skills within the public works sector.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Deputy Director of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Rivers State Command, N.K. Keke, who represented the Comptroller, observed that many skills acquisition programmes in the past had failed because beneficiaries struggled to launch their own businesses after completing their training.
He therefore urged recipients of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative to break this cycle by making the most of the opportunity and repaying the Federal Government’s confidence in them through successful business ventures.
Similarly, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) State Coordinator, Mr Moses Olegeh, encouraged the beneficiaries to fully utilise the platform provided to them by the NDE through the initiative.
Also speaking at the event, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) State Commander, Amed Mamuda, represented by the Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Mr Emmanuel Ogbumgbada, commended the NDE for empowering individuals, stressing that many people had attained success through such initiatives. He cautioned that some, however, had abandoned similar opportunities in the past and turned to drug abuse, ultimately jeopardising their futures.
In his address, the Chairman of the occasion and South-South Director of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mr Lucky Obarein, applauded the Federal Government’s efforts in tackling unemployment. He encouraged the beneficiaries to ensure the programme’s objectives were fulfilled.
Acknowledging the loans and starter packs distributed, he advised recipients to repay them diligently to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
