The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced the third phase of registration for the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), targeting 26,961 unemployed Nigerians with vocational, agricultural, digital and entrepreneurial training opportunities .
The nationwide registration exercise, which began on 23rd July 2026 and concludes on 29th July 2026, is taking place simultaneously across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory . The initiative forms a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to combat unemployment through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development .
According to NDE State Coordinator Suleman Usman Bwala, the programme aims to equip participants with practical skills, start-up support and self-employment opportunities. Interested Nigerians aged 18 to 50 years are encouraged to register through the official RHEI portal or at designated NDE offices in their respective states .
The agency confirmed that beneficiaries will undergo screening and training before receiving the necessary support to establish sustainable livelihoods and contribute to national economic growth. Applicants must authenticate their identities using their National Identification Number (NIN), with the digital platform designed to prevent multiple registrations and assign successful applicants to training centres nearest to their residences .
NDE Director-General Silas Agara disclosed that 32,886 unemployed Nigerians benefited from Phase I in 2024, with 4,683 beneficiaries resettled with business start-up tools . A further 33,692 persons completed training under Phase II, though their resettlement packages have been delayed following the non-release of the 2025 capital budget . Beneficiaries of previous phases are not eligible to apply for Phase III, ensuring the programme reaches a fresh cohort of unemployed Nigerians .
The initiative also incorporates special provisions for persons living with disabilities, enabling them to be identified and enrolled in skills programmes suited to their abilities . Training under the new phase is expected to commence in August 2026 .
