FG Launches iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Programme for 300,000 Young Nigerians

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Programme, a groundbreaking initiative that will provide digital skills training to 300,000 young Nigerians and connect them to employment opportunities in the digital and creative sectors. This massive undertaking, delivered under the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme, is co-financed by the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Bank of Industry.

The iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Initiative is set to make history as the largest government-led digital skills-to-employment project in Nigeria's history, targeting young Nigerians aged 15 to 35 across all six geopolitical zones. Six implementing partners, one from each geopolitical zone, have been selected to train and actively link graduates to job opportunities within Nigeria's burgeoning digital and creative economy and the global outsourcing market.

The programme is structured into three tracks – Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced – tailored to accommodate learners of varying skill levels and provide job-ready competencies. Training combines online modules with in-person sessions to overcome geographical and device access barriers, ensuring accessibility for participants in both urban and rural communities.

With an ambitious goal of achieving an 80% employment linkage rate, the initiative aims to generate at least 240,000 job opportunities for trained beneficiaries upon completion of their training. Notably, the initiative prioritizes inclusion, with a commitment to reaching at least 40% female participants and at least 5% persons living with disabilities and young people who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET).

Expressing his support for the programme, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized that the iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Initiative is a tangible manifestation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. He stated that the programme is designed to bridge the gap between skills acquisition and employment, connecting Nigeria's brightest young minds to the digital and creative jobs demanded by the 21st-century global economy.

The programme's success is attributed to Nigeria's inherent talent and the invaluable pathway it offers to its youth.

Bank of Industry Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, highlighted the significance of the iDICE Skills-to-Jobs component within the broader context of sustainable economic transformation. He explained that the programme serves as a powerful lever for BOI's mission to facilitate economic growth by equipping young Nigerians with the necessary skills and creating sustainable jobs, while also fostering an environment that encourages their productive participation in the economy.