The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has launched the Second Phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI 2), a nationwide program aimed at tackling unemployment through large-scale skill acquisition and empowerment.
Announcing the initiative during the 39th Lagos International Trade Fair on November 11, 2025, the Director-General of the NDE, H.E. Silas Ali Agara, represented by the Director of Inspectorate, Mrs. Steve-Ogundipe Olayinka, described RHEI 2 as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing employment and empowerment efforts.
According to Agara, the initiative targets over 40,000 unemployed and unskilled Nigerians across 8,809 electoral wards. Participants will receive hands-on training in more than 30 skill areas, including agriculture, ICT, and digital marketing, among others.
He noted that RHEI 2 is designed to empower youths, women, and vulnerable groups with both technical knowledge and access to resources that enhance productivity and promote community development.
“This program aligns with our broader mission to link talent with opportunity and promote innovation that drives sustainable growth,” Agara said, adding that RHEI 2 complements the Federal Government’s employment policy framework focused on poverty reduction and self-reliance.
The announcement also reflected this year’s Trade Fair theme, “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value,” underscoring NDE’s role in bridging skills and enterprise opportunities nationwide.
However, the initiative has not been without public scrutiny. Several participants took to Facebook to express concerns about delayed training and transportation allowances. Comments from users such as Juliet Ijele and John Audu called for the immediate payment of entitlements, while others, including David John and Dindi Dindi, criticized what they described as administrative delays in program management.
In response, the NDE, through its official Facebook page, clarified that payments are currently being processed and assured beneficiaries that they would receive their allowances soon.
As RHEI 2 progresses, the NDE maintains that it remains committed to empowering Nigerians through sustainable skill development and ensuring that no willing participant is left behind in the nation’s renewed drive for employment and economic inclusion.
