*extends registration deadline
By Michael Oche
Contrary to reports making the rounds, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has clarified that it plans to engage 93,731 youths in its skills acquisition programme and not 900,000 as widely misreported.
The clarification followed reports by some online platforms claiming that the Directorate has launched an online portal to engage 900,000 youths in skills development.
However, in a statement on Monday, Edmund Onwuliri, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at NDE, said while the agency is committed to engaging more unemployed youths, the figures for its upcoming project is 93,731.
Mr. Onwuliri explained that the NDE has initiated the online registration process for unskilled and unemployed Nigerians as part of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, aimed at providing equitable access to employment opportunities.
The scheme he further explained, plans to support a minimum of ten participants from each electoral ward across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ensuring balanced representation and inclusion. This deliberate structure aims to promote fair participation across all regions and demographics.
Furthermore, the NDE clarified that its official registration portals are www.nde.gov.ng and www.nderegistrationportal.ng.
The agency also enjoined prospective applicants to use the above links to avoid potential fraud from unauthorized sites.
The initiative, covering 30 diverse skill sets, has specific provisions for women and individuals with special needs, underscoring the program’s commitment to inclusivity.
The statement also said due to the overwhelming interest from unemployed individuals nationwide, the NDE has extended the registration deadline by an additional 48 hours. This extension allows more time for eligible individuals to apply, with the final registration closing at midnight on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
“The Directorate encourages the public to disregard any misleading information and to seek verified updates directly from the official channels. The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative stands as a testament to the NDE’s mission to reduce unemployment through strategic and inclusive skills development.”