Applications are open for the iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program, a major Federal Government of Nigeria initiative designed to equip 300,000 young Nigerians with industry-relevant digital, creative and workplace skills and connect them with pathways to employment opportunities.
The programme is delivered under the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme and implemented by the Bank of Industry (BOI), with funding support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
The Skills-to-Jobs initiative will train 50,000 young people in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
At least 40% of beneficiaries are expected to be women, while persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are encouraged to participate.
iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program Details
- Programme: iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program
- Parent Programme: Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE)
- Initiative: Federal Government of Nigeria
- Implementing Agency: Bank of Industry (BOI)
- Funding Partners: African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
- Target Beneficiaries: 300,000 young Nigerians
- Training Slots: 50,000 per geopolitical zone
- Coverage: All six geopolitical zones
- Age Requirement: 15–35 years
- Focus: Digital, creative, BPO and workplace skills
- Women Participation Target: At least 40%
- Application Fee: Free
About the iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program
The iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program is a flagship skills development initiative under the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Programme.
It is designed to prepare young Nigerians for employment and career opportunities within Nigeria’s expanding digital and creative industries, the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector and the wider global digital economy.
Rather than focusing solely on technical instruction, the programme combines industry-focused digital and creative training with workplace and employability skills.
Participants will receive practical training delivered by accredited training providers, with the curriculum aligned with industry needs.
The broader goal is to help participants develop skills that can translate into real employment opportunities and participation in Nigeria’s technology, creative and outsourcing industries.
A Major Federal Government Digital and Creative Economy Initiative
The iDICE Programme is a Federal Government of Nigeria initiative focused on unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s technology and creative industries.
The programme brings together the Federal Government, the Bank of Industry and major international development finance institutions to support skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation within Nigeria’s digital and creative economy.
The Skills-to-Jobs component focuses specifically on developing a large pipeline of young Nigerians equipped with skills relevant to employers and the global outsourcing market.
Programme Partners
The iDICE programme is backed by a combination of Nigerian and international development institutions.
Federal Government of Nigeria
iDICE is a Federal Government initiative established to support the development of Nigeria’s technology and creative sectors.
Through Skills-to-Jobs, the programme aims to expand access to practical digital and creative skills while improving employment prospects for young Nigerians across the country.
Bank of Industry (BOI)
The Bank of Industry serves as the implementing agency for the iDICE Programme.
BOI is Nigeria’s development finance institution focused on supporting industrial development, businesses and economic growth.
For iDICE, the Bank of Industry plays a central implementation role, working with programme partners and other stakeholders to deliver the initiative.
African Development Bank (AfDB)
The African Development Bank is one of the major development finance partners supporting the iDICE Programme.
AfDB supports economic and social development initiatives across Africa, including programmes focused on entrepreneurship, infrastructure, skills, innovation and employment.
Its involvement in iDICE forms part of the programme’s broader institutional and financial backing.
Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
Agence Française de Développement is another funding partner supporting iDICE.
AFD is France’s public development institution and finances development projects across multiple sectors and countries.
Its participation contributes to the international development partnership supporting the implementation of iDICE in Nigeria.
Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
The Islamic Development Bank is also among the development institutions funding the iDICE Programme.
IsDB supports economic and social development projects across its member countries, including initiatives related to education, skills, infrastructure, private-sector development and employment.
Together, AfDB, AFD and IsDB provide major international development backing for the programme, while the Bank of Industry leads its implementation in Nigeria.
Scale of the Programme
The Skills-to-Jobs initiative is designed to operate nationwide.
Its targets include:
- 300,000 young Nigerians trained
- Six geopolitical zones covered
- 50,000 training opportunities allocated to each zone
- All 36 states and the FCT covered
- At least 40% participation by women
The nationwide structure is intended to ensure that access is not concentrated in only a few major Nigerian cities.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to young Nigerians who:
- Are between 15 and 35 years old
- Reside in Nigeria
- Are interested in building careers in the digital or creative economy
- Are willing and committed to completing the training programme
People with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are specifically encouraged to apply.
What Participants Will Learn
Successful applicants will receive practical, industry-focused training in high-demand technology and creative disciplines.
Training will also incorporate workplace and employability competencies designed to prepare participants for opportunities in areas such as Business Process Outsourcing and digital services.
The exact training available to individual participants can depend on their location, training provider and applicable programme pathway.
Training will be delivered by accredited providers and aligned with industry requirements.
Business Process Outsourcing and Digital Services
An important focus of the Skills-to-Jobs initiative is preparing young Nigerians for opportunities within the Business Process Outsourcing industry.
BPO involves organisations contracting specific business operations or services to external professionals or service providers.
Depending on the role and employer, opportunities in the wider outsourcing and digital services ecosystem can involve areas such as customer support, digital operations, administrative services, technology services and other business functions.
By developing both technical and workplace competencies, the programme aims to prepare participants for opportunities within Nigeria’s growing BPO ecosystem and the wider global outsourcing industry.
Programme Benefits
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to:
- Receive industry-focused digital and creative skills training
- Develop in-demand skills
- Learn from experienced trainers and industry professionals
- Build workplace-ready competencies
- Improve their employability
- Develop skills relevant to the BPO and digital services industries
- Access pathways to employment opportunities
- Prepare for opportunities within Nigeria’s digital economy
- Develop skills applicable to the global outsourcing industry
- Participate in training delivered by accredited providers
- Join a nationwide Federal Government-backed skills initiative
Application to the programme is completely free.
Training Across Nigeria’s Six Geopolitical Zones
The programme allocates 50,000 training slots to each geopolitical zone.
Applicants are required to apply according to their state of residence.
North Central – 50,000 Training Slots
Eligible locations:
- Benue
- Kogi
- Kwara
- Nasarawa
- Niger
- Plateau
- Federal Capital Territory
North East – 50,000 Training Slots
Eligible locations:
- Adamawa
- Bauchi
- Borno
- Gombe
- Taraba
- Yobe
North West – 50,000 Training Slots
Eligible locations:
- Jigawa
- Kaduna
- Kano
- Katsina
- Kebbi
- Sokoto
- Zamfara
South East – 50,000 Training Slots
Eligible locations:
- Abia
- Anambra
- Ebonyi
- Enugu
- Imo
South South – 50,000 Training Slots
Eligible locations:
- Akwa Ibom
- Bayelsa
- Cross River
- Delta
- Edo
- Rivers
South West – 50,000 Training Slots
Eligible locations:
- Ekiti
- Lagos
- Ogun
- Ondo
- Osun
- Oyo
This structure means eligible young Nigerians across every state and the FCT have a regional application pathway.
Women and Inclusive Participation
At least 40% of the programme’s beneficiaries are expected to be women.
The programme also encourages applications from persons with disabilities and members of other vulnerable groups.
This forms part of iDICE’s wider effort to expand participation in Nigeria’s technology and creative industries to groups that can face barriers to accessing training and employment opportunities.
Employment Pathways
The Skills-to-Jobs initiative is designed around skills development and access to pathways that can connect trained digital talent with employment opportunities.
Participants will build practical and workplace skills relevant to employers within Nigeria’s BPO ecosystem, digital services industry and broader global outsourcing economy.
Applicants should note that access to employment pathways should not be interpreted as an automatic guarantee of employment after training. Employment outcomes will depend on available opportunities, individual performance and applicable recruitment requirements.
How to Apply for the iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program
Applications are managed according to geopolitical zones.
Interested applicants should:
- Visit the official iDICE Skills-to-Jobs application page.
- Review the programme information and eligibility requirements.
- Locate the geopolitical zone containing your state of residence.
- Select the application option for your zone.
- Complete the required application information.
- Review your details carefully.
- Submit your application.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Applications are free, and applicants should use the official iDICE application platform.
Important Information for Applicants
- Applicants must be between 15 and 35 years old.
- Applicants must reside in Nigeria.
- Applications are organised according to geopolitical zones.
- There are 50,000 training slots allocated to each of the six geopolitical zones.
- The overall programme targets 300,000 young Nigerians.
- At least 40% of beneficiaries will be women.
- Persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups are encouraged to apply.
- Training focuses on digital, creative, workplace and employability skills.
- Training is delivered through accredited training providers.
- The programme provides pathways to employment opportunities but does not represent an automatic job offer.
- Application is completely free.
About iDICE
Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) is a Federal Government of Nigeria initiative focused on developing the country’s technology and creative industries.
The wider programme supports areas including skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, startups and access to opportunities within the digital and creative economy.
Its programmes include Skills-to-Jobs and other initiatives supporting Nigeria’s technology and creative ecosystem.
Programme Implementation and Funding
The iDICE Programme is:
- A Federal Government of Nigeria initiative
- Implemented by the Bank of Industry (BOI)
- Funded with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB)
- Funded with support from Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
- Funded with support from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
This partnership brings together the Nigerian government, Nigeria’s development finance infrastructure and major international development institutions to support large-scale skills and economic development initiatives for young Nigerians.
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