The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) says that it is making a significant impact in Sokoto State, equipping local youths with the necessary skills, tools, and financial support to boost employment and entrepreneurship.
In an exclusive interview with ASHENEWS, the Acting State Coordinator for the NDE in Sokoto, Mr. Lukman Abubakar discussed the ongoing training programs and their positive effect on youth empowerment.
Mr. Abubakar noted that the NDE operates across all 36 states of Nigeria, with desk officers in every local government area.
This nationwide structure, he said ensures that interested candidates can apply online and receive training in their local communities without the need to travel to distant areas.
The acting state coordinator explained that the NDE caters to both educated and uneducated youths, providing ongoing training programs to prepare them for diverse career paths.
“Currently, the NDE has 93,731 employment “wax” across the country, with 2,470 allocated to Sokoto State. Each wax accommodates 10 beneficiaries, meaning that over 2,400 individuals in Sokoto are benefiting from this crucial initiative. The training batch for this session began in December and will continue through February, with a new batch expected to start in April,” he said.
NDE’s key programs for youth empowerment
The acting state coordinator explain that the NDE offers a wide range of programs designed to provide job opportunities and promote vocational and technical skills.
These programs focus on everything from entrepreneurship and agribusiness to public infrastructure maintenance. Some of the most prominent programs include:
- Agricultural training:
The agricultural department offers training in fish processing, poultry farming, and small animal farming. Participants are often given cash loans or equipment to help start their businesses. Additionally, the NDE provides a “Mature People Loan” of up to N500,000 to some participants in this category. - Small Scale Enterprise (SSE) & Women Empowerment Scheme:
Focused on empowering women, this program trains them in food processing, such as cake baking and cooking. Around 200 women are trained annually, helping them generate income through these skills. - Enterprise and Financial Counseling Clinic (EFCC):
This program equips participants with the skills needed to manage and grow their businesses. After completing the training, participants are eligible for loans of N150,000 or N200,000, which they can repay on flexible terms. - Start Your Own Business (SYOB):
This initiative supports micro-business owners by providing loans starting from N50,000 to help participants launch their own businesses. - Special Public Works (SPW) & Graduate Attachment Program (GAP):
Specifically designed for unemployed graduates, this program offers 93 positions in Sokoto under GAP, where graduates are assigned to teach core subjects like Mathematics, English, and Chemistry in schools. - Solar Engineering Training:
The NDE also provides training in solar panel installation and maintenance. Participants receive the tools they used during their training and are attached to local solar outlets to further practice and refine their skills. - Vocational Development Program:
This program offers a variety of trade-specific training, such as phone repairs, tailoring, computer operation, bead making, painting, and mechanics. Graduates receive tools to help them start working immediately—such as sewing machines for tailors, repair kits for phone technicians, and computers for IT professionals. In cases where tools are insufficient, trainees are given cash loans to purchase the necessary equipment.
Through these diverse programs, he stressed that the NDE aims to reduce unemployment by providing Sokoto’s youths with the skills, tools, and financial support needed to succeed in the workforce or start their own businesses.
“By creating such opportunities, the NDE is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of Sokoto’s youth, empowering them to build a more prosperous future.”
