The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has trained 33,692 unemployed women, youths and persons with disabilities in various skills across the country.

According to the directorate, the beneficiaries received training in vocational skills, entrepreneurship and business management, among others.

NDE Director-General, Mr Silas Agara, disclosed this at the resettlement of beneficiaries under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative in Kaduna on Tuesday.

According to him, the initiative commenced with a flag-off ceremony on December 6, 2024, while training for selected beneficiaries started on December 9, 2024.

Represented by the NDE North-West Zonal Director, Malam Shehu Danjuma, the DG further explained that, “Over the past three months, the directorate has successfully trained 33,692 unemployed Nigerian youths, women and persons living with disabilities in in-demand skills across vocational skills training, entrepreneurship, and business management training.

“Agricultural skills training and activities within the public works sector were also covered across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“This initiative has culminated in the launch of resettlement for the trained beneficiaries, with the goal of empowering participants to become not only self-employed but also employers of labour.

“A total of 5,532 beneficiaries would be resettled with loans and starter packs nationwide to enable them to establish their own businesses,” he added.

In her remarks, Kaduna State Coordinator, Hajiya Halima Waziri, stated that over 1,200 youths and women, including persons with disabilities, benefited from the programme in Kaduna State.

She advised beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate for being selected, emphasising that they would receive equipment and financial loan support to help them become self-reliant in the future.