By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

THE National Directorate of Employment, NDE, on Monday, clarified that the online portal it launched recently will engage 93,000 youths on skills development and not 900,000 as being published by an online platform.

NDE in a statement issued by Edmund Onwuliri, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, said while the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is indeed underway, the actual target is 93,731 individuals, not 900,000 as widely misreported.

Mr. Onwuliri explained that the NDE has initiated the online registration process for unskilled and unemployed Nigerians as part of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, aimed at providing equitable access to employment opportunities.

The scheme he further explained, plans to support a minimum of 10 participants from each electoral ward across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja ensuring balanced representation and inclusion.

This deliberate structure is aimed at promoting fair participation across all regions and demographics, adding that its official registration portals are www.nde.gov.ng and www.nderegistrationportal.ng.

The agency enjoined prospective applicants to use the above links to avoid potential fraud from unauthorized sites.

“The initiative, covering 30 diverse skill sets, has specific provisions for women and individuals with special needs, underscoring the program’s commitment to inclusivity,” it explained.

The statement also said “due to the overwhelming interest from unemployed individuals nationwide, the NDE has extended the registration deadline by an additional 48 hours. This extension allows more time for eligible individuals to apply, with the final registration closing at midnight on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.”

The Directorate encourages the public to disregard any misleading information and to seek verified updates directly from the official channels.

“The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative stands as a testament to the NDE’s mission to reduce unemployment through strategic and inclusive skills development,” it added.