As part of the ongoing Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI 2) spearheaded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Sokoto State has officially launched training programs for 72 individuals under the Environmental Beautification Training Scheme (EBTS) and the Solar Energy Training Scheme (SETS).
Previously, the NDE successfully trained over 1,072 unemployed youths in Sokoto across various sectors including entrepreneurship, agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), and public works as part of the first phase of RHEI 2.
Speaking on behalf of the NDE Director-General, Silas Agara, Malam Lukman Abubakar, the acting coordinator for Sokoto State, highlighted the significant progress made since the initiation of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative in 2025. He emphasized that these efforts align closely with the directorate’s core mission of generating employment opportunities.
“This initiative is deeply rooted in the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which prioritizes economic development, job creation, and poverty reduction,” he explained.
“Building on these principles, the NDE, with strong collaboration from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, launched the second phase of RHEI. The training programs are designed to boost employability, nurture small business ventures, enhance agricultural output, upgrade rural infrastructure, and provide temporary employment opportunities,” Malam Abubakar added.
He further clarified that participants for the EBTS and SETS programs were selected from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ensuring broad representation. Specifically, at least four individuals were chosen from each of Nigeria’s 8,809 electoral wards to promote inclusiveness nationwide.
“In total, 14,457 beneficiaries will receive starter kits to support their ventures upon completion of the training. Our goal is that by the end of this phase, these trainees will have acquired valuable skills that not only improve their employability but also foster entrepreneurial thinking, enhance their livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the country’s economic progress,” he stated with optimism.
In his opening remarks, Malam Jibril Yinusa, Head of the Department of Special Public Works at Sokoto State NDE, reaffirmed the directorate’s dedication to generating sustainable employment for Nigerians. He encouraged all participants to remain diligent and punctual throughout the training period to maximize the benefits of the program.
