Applications are now open for the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Skills to Jobs Programme, a Federal Government backed initiative offering free digital, employability and specialised skills training to 50,000 young people across North Central Nigeria.
The programme is designed to help young Nigerians develop practical skills that can improve their access to employment and income generating opportunities in the digital economy and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector.
Young people between the ages of 15 and 35 who live in Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are eligible to apply.
The initiative is being implemented by Tech4Dev, in partnership with TeleSoftas and Taltrix, with training delivered through a combination of virtual learning, self paced courses and physical sessions.
Beyond technical training, participants will receive employability support, exposure to employers, job matching and placement assistance.
What Is the iDICE Skills to Jobs Programme?
The Skills to Jobs programme is part of the wider iDICE initiative, which was established to support the growth of Nigeria’s digital and creative economy and expand opportunities for young people.
The national Skills to Jobs component aims to train approximately 300,000 young Nigerians across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The North Central programme will account for 50,000 participants.
The wider iDICE programme is co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), while the Bank of Industry (BOI) serves as the executing agency.
States Covered by the North Central Training
The programme is open to eligible applicants residing in the following locations:
- Benue State
- Kogi State
- Kwara State
- Nasarawa State
- Niger State
- Plateau State
- Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
Applicants should ensure that they meet the programme’s eligibility requirements before submitting an application.
Skills Available Under the Programme
Training will be organised into three broad levels:
- Foundational
- Developmental
- Specialised
The courses are intended to provide participants with both basic digital competencies and more advanced skills that can be applied in employment and business environments.
Areas of training include:
- Digital literacy
- Customer support
- Data entry
- Data analytics
- SEO writing
- UI/UX design
- Product management
- Software development and coding
- Artificial intelligence engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Animation
- Digital marketing
The training areas are particularly relevant to the growing digital services and BPO industries, where employers increasingly require workers with practical technical and professional skills.
Free Training and Employment Support
One of the key features of the Skills to Jobs programme is that it goes beyond classroom training.
Participants are expected to receive support designed to help them move from skills development to employment.
This includes employability preparation, interaction with employers, job matching and placement support.
Training providers will also align their courses with the needs of businesses operating in the BPO and digital services sectors.
This approach is intended to ensure that participants develop skills that are relevant to actual workplace requirements rather than completing training without a clear pathway to employment.
Women and Underserved Young People Encouraged to Apply
The programme places particular emphasis on expanding access to groups that may face barriers to digital skills and employment opportunities.
Women, persons with disabilities and young people from underserved communities are especially encouraged to participate.
According to the programme’s implementation approach, measures have been incorporated to improve accessibility and participation for these groups.
What BOI Says About the Programme
Bank of Industry Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Olasupo Olusi said the initiative is intended to address the growing demand for digital talent while giving young Nigerians access to industry relevant skills.
The programme’s 300,000 participant national target is expected to expand access to skills development across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones while supporting the country’s growing BPO and digital economy.
Tech4Dev Highlights Link Between Skills and Jobs
Abraham Akpan, Country Manager for Nigeria and Sub Saharan Africa at Tech4Dev, said the organisation sees practical skills development as a pathway to greater economic participation.
The programme therefore combines technical training with employability assistance and access to potential employment opportunities.
According to Tech4Dev, the goal is to help young people develop both the capabilities and confidence needed to participate in the economy.
TeleSoftas Says Employer Needs Will Guide Training
Mimshach Obioha, Chief Executive Officer of TeleSoftas, also highlighted the importance of connecting training programmes with the skills employers actually require.
The programme is expected to bring industry perspectives into the training process so participants can better understand workplace expectations and develop competencies relevant to the digital economy.
Who Can Apply for the iDICE Training?
The North Central Skills to Jobs programme is targeted at young people who:
- Are between 15 and 35 years old
- Live in one of the participating North Central locations
- Are interested in developing digital, technical or employability skills
- Want to pursue opportunities in the digital services or BPO sectors
- Are willing to participate in the required training activities
Applicants should review the official programme requirements before applying, as additional eligibility or participation conditions may apply.
How to Apply for the iDICE Skills to Jobs Programme
Eligible applicants can submit their applications through the official iDICE application platform.
Applicants should use only official application channels and provide accurate information during registration.
Application and participation are free.
Applicants should not pay any individual or organisation to:
- Submit an application
- Gain admission into the programme
- Access the training
- Obtain a training slot
- Secure employment through the programme
Any person requesting payment in exchange for access to the programme should be treated with caution.
Important Notice for Applicants
Because government backed training and employment programmes can attract fraudulent websites and individuals, applicants should verify application information through official programmes and implementing organisation channels before submitting personal information or making any payment.
For official institutional information, applicants can check:
African Development Bank (AfDB)
Why the iDICE Training Matters
Nigeria’s digital economy continues to create demand for workers with technical, creative and professional skills. However, access to relevant training and a clear pathway from training to employment remains a challenge for many young people.
The iDICE Skills to Jobs programme is structured around addressing this gap by combining skills acquisition, employability preparation, employer engagement and job placement support.
For eligible young people in North Central Nigeria, the programme could provide an opportunity to gain practical skills without paying tuition or training fees.
Applicants interested in digital careers should therefore review the official programme information carefully and apply through the designated channel before any stated deadline.
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