The Federal Government has launched the online registration portal for Phase III of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI).

Under the initiative, the government said it plans to train 26,961 unemployed Nigerians in 70 market-driven vocational and entrepreneurial skills across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It also announced that 3,405 outstanding graduate trainees from the previous phase of the programme would be resettled with starter packs and work tools upon completion of the initiative as part of efforts to stimulate job creation, promote self-employment and reduce unemployment.

Speaking at the official launch yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Dingyadi, described the initiative as a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) aimed at equipping Nigerians with practical, demand-driven skills to become self-reliant and productive.

The Minister said the beneficiaries would be selected from all 8,809 political wards across the country to ensure fairness, inclusiveness and equitable distribution of opportunities.

He said the ward-based selection process would enable the programme to reach grassroots communities and ensure that unemployed Nigerians in both urban and rural areas benefit from the intervention.

Dingyadi acknowledged concerns raised by beneficiaries of the previous phases over delays in the payment of stipends and the distribution of resettlement packages, attributing the setback to funding constraints.

“I wish to assure all affected beneficiaries that this ministry is fully aware of the matter and is working with the relevant authorities to ensure the release of the necessary funds so that all outstanding obligations can be met without further delay.

“Government remains committed to ensuring that every eligible beneficiary receives his or her entitlements as soon as the funds are made available,” he said.

The Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Silas Agara, said the Phase III registration portal had been significantly upgraded to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability.

He explained that applicants would be required to verify their identities using their National Identification Number (NIN), while the digital platform has been designed to automatically prevent multiple registrations and assign successful applicants to training centres closest to their places of residence.

Agara said the portal also includes provisions for persons with disabilities, enabling them to be identified and enrolled in skills programmes suited to their abilities.

Giving an account of previous interventions, the NDE Director-General disclosed that 32,886 unemployed Nigerians benefited from Phase I of the initiative in 2024, with 4,683 beneficiaries already resettled with business start-up tools and equipment.

He added that although 33,692 Nigerians successfully completed training under Phase II, the distribution of resettlement packages had been delayed due to the non-release of the 2025 capital budget.

According to him, the funding challenge has also delayed the payment of outstanding stipends to 4,651 trainees.

“The moment the 2025 capital budget is released, we will move immediately to clear every outstanding obligation, including stipends and resettlement support for beneficiaries,” Agara said.

He stressed that beneficiaries of Phases I and II would not be eligible to participate in Phase III, explaining that the agency intends to expand the programme’s reach by providing opportunities to a new set of unemployed Nigerians.

Agara announced that registration would be conducted online, after which shortlisted applicants would undergo verification before nationwide training begins in August 2026.

“The launch of the third phase is part of the Federal Government’s targeted effort to combat unemployment through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development and enterprise support under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative,” he added. (The Nation)