The Federal Government has opened applications for a free digital skills and employability programme targeting 50,000 young Nigerians across the North-Central region, offering participants training designed to prepare them for opportunities in the technology, creative and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sectors.

The initiative, known as the iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Programme, will cover Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory. It is designed to equip young people with practical skills while providing support to help them connect their training to employment opportunities.

The programme is being implemented by Tech4Dev in partnership with TeleSoftas and Taltrix, under the Federal Government’s Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) initiative. The Bank of Industry (BOI) serves as the programme’s implementing agency, with financing support from the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement and the Islamic Development Bank.

The North-Central intervention forms part of a broader national plan to train 300,000 young Nigerians, with 50,000 training places allocated to each of the country's six geopolitical zones.

Unlike training programmes that focus solely on classroom learning, the iDICE Skills-to-Jobs initiative is structured to help participants move from acquiring skills towards workplace readiness and employment. Its delivery model combines virtual lessons, self-paced learning and in-person training, alongside career preparation, employer engagement, job matching and placement support.

Participants will be trained across three levels, depending on their experience and learning needs. Foundational courses include digital literacy, data entry and customer support, while developmental options cover areas such as data analytics, SEO writing, UI/UX design, product management, coding and animation. Specialised training includes fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence engineering, digital marketing and other advanced digital skills.

The programme is also designed to promote wider access to digital opportunities. Women, persons with disabilities and young people from underserved communities are particularly encouraged to apply. The national iDICE programme states that at least 40 per cent of its beneficiaries are expected to be women.

Bank of Industry Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Olasupo Olusi, described the initiative as part of the Federal Government’s effort to develop a skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of Nigeria’s growing digital and outsourcing industries.

Tech4Dev Country Manager for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, Abraham Akpan, also highlighted the importance of connecting skills development with practical economic opportunities, while TeleSoftas Chief Executive Officer Mimshach Obioha stressed the need to align training with the competencies employers require.

The programme is open to young Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 35, according to the official iDICE application website. Interested applicants in the North-Central region can select their state or the FCT through the programme’s application portal.

Applications and participation are free. Applicants are warned not to pay individuals or organisations promising admission, access to training or guaranteed employment through the programme.

Interested applicants can visit the official portal to review the requirements and begin the process: https://www.idice.ng/skills-training-to-jobs.

The initiative presents an opportunity for young people across the North-Central region to develop practical digital skills and improve their readiness for employment in an economy where technology and digital services continue to create new career possibilities.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia