The Federal Government of Nigeria is accepting applications from eligible young Nigerians for the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Skills-to-Job Programme 2026. The initiative is designed to equip young people with practical digital, creative and workplace skills that can improve their employability and prepare them for opportunities in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
The programme targets 300,000 young Nigerians across the country, with training opportunities planned for all six geopolitical zones. It is intended to help participants develop relevant skills that can be applied in employment, entrepreneurship and other career opportunities within the digital and creative sectors.
Young Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 35 who are interested in developing careers in digital technology, creative industries or business-process outsourcing may be eligible to apply. The training is free, and applicants are encouraged to use the official programme portal rather than paying agents or intermediaries.
What Is the iDICE Skills-to-Job Programme?
The Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme is a Federal Government initiative focused on supporting the growth of Nigeria’s digital technology and creative industries. It seeks to strengthen the country’s digital and creative economy by supporting skills development, enterprise growth and access to opportunities.
The Skills-to-Job initiative is one of the programme’s training-related interventions. Its focus is to prepare young Nigerians with practical skills that can help them participate in the labour market and contribute to the country’s digital and creative sectors.
Rather than focusing only on theoretical learning, the initiative is intended to provide training that improves participants’ practical abilities and workplace readiness. This is important because employers and businesses increasingly require workers who can demonstrate relevant skills and adapt to changing technology and business needs.
Programme Highlights
According to the programme information provided, the iDICE Skills-to-Job initiative has the following targets and features:
- 300,000 targeted beneficiaries: The programme aims to provide training opportunities to 300,000 young Nigerians.
- Nationwide coverage: Applicants from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria can apply.
- Regional allocation: The programme targets 50,000 training opportunities for each geopolitical zone.
- Women’s participation: At least 40 per cent of beneficiaries are targeted to be women.
- Digital skills training: Participants will have opportunities to develop relevant digital skills.
- Creative economy training: The initiative also targets skills connected to creative industries.
- Business-process outsourcing: Training will cover skills relevant to business-process outsourcing-related opportunities.
- Employability focus: The programme is designed to improve participants’ readiness for work and access to employment opportunities.
The target of 300,000 beneficiaries is a programme-wide target. It should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every applicant will automatically be selected for training.
Eligibility Requirements
Interested applicants should review the eligibility conditions before beginning the registration process. The programme is intended for young people who are resident in Nigeria and interested in developing skills relevant to the digital or creative economy.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be between 15 and 35 years old.
- Be resident in Nigeria.
- Have an interest in developing a career in the digital or creative economy.
- Be willing to participate in the training activities.
- Be prepared to complete the training programme if selected.
Applicants from the North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South and South West geopolitical zones are eligible to apply, subject to the programme’s registration and selection requirements.
Before submitting an application, candidates should confirm that the personal information they provide is accurate. Applicants should also ensure that they can be contacted through the telephone number and email address supplied during registration.
Which Skills Can Applicants Expect to Develop?
The programme is focused on digital, creative and business-process outsourcing-related skills. These are broad areas that cover different career paths, and the specific courses or training tracks available may depend on the programme’s training arrangements and the applicant’s selected geopolitical zone.
1. Digital Skills
Digital skills are increasingly important across different industries. Businesses, government institutions and organisations rely on digital tools to communicate, manage information, deliver services and improve productivity.
Training in this area may prepare participants for opportunities that require the use of digital technologies and other relevant workplace tools. Applicants should consult the official portal for the specific digital training options available during registration.
2. Creative Economy Skills
Nigeria’s creative economy includes activities connected to content production, media, design and other creative services. People with relevant skills can explore opportunities in employment, freelancing and entrepreneurship.
The iDICE initiative includes creative skills development as part of its broader training objectives. Applicants interested in creative careers should review the available training options and select an appropriate pathway if offered.
3. Business-Process Outsourcing Skills
Business-process outsourcing involves providing business support services to organisations. Such services may include customer support, administrative assistance, information processing and other operational activities.
Skills relevant to this area can help young people prepare for roles that require communication, organisation, digital literacy and the ability to work with business systems. The programme’s focus on business-process outsourcing is intended to improve access to this type of work.
How to Apply for the iDICE Skills-to-Job Programme 2026
Interested and eligible Nigerians should apply through the official iDICE programme portal. Applicants are expected to select their geopolitical zone based on their state of residence and follow the registration instructions displayed on the platform.
Follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the official iDICE Skills-to-Job Programme website.
- Locate the Skills-to-Job training application section.
- Select the geopolitical zone that corresponds to your state of residence.
- Read the registration instructions carefully before proceeding.
- Provide the personal information and other details requested in the application form.
- Choose the appropriate training option where the portal provides available choices.
- Review the information entered to ensure that it is accurate and complete.
- Submit your application according to the instructions on the portal.
- Keep any confirmation message or application reference provided after submission.
Official Application Portal: Click here to apply for the iDICE Skills-to-Job Programme.
Applicants should use the official portal for registration and programme updates. If the website provides additional instructions, those instructions should take priority over information shared on unofficial social media pages.
Application Deadline
No specific application closing date has been published in the programme information provided. Interested applicants should therefore visit the official iDICE portal and check whether registration is currently open for their geopolitical zone.
Applicants should not assume that registration will remain available indefinitely. Training opportunities may be managed in phases or according to regional arrangements. It is advisable to complete the registration process promptly when the relevant application option is available.
Is the iDICE Skills-to-Job Programme Free?
Yes. The Skills-to-Job training initiative is advertised as a free programme. Eligible applicants should not be required to pay an agent or intermediary to register or secure a place.
Be careful of individuals who claim to have special access to the programme or promise guaranteed selection in exchange for money. Do not send your bank details, payment information or sensitive personal information to unofficial contacts claiming to represent the programme.
For accurate information, use the official iDICE website and follow the registration instructions published there.
Does the Programme Guarantee Employment?
Applicants should understand the difference between skills training and guaranteed employment. The Skills-to-Job initiative is designed to improve employability and prepare participants for job opportunities, but completing the training does not automatically guarantee a job placement, employment contract or business funding.
Participants will still need to demonstrate their abilities, meet employers’ requirements and compete for available opportunities. The value of the programme will depend partly on how participants apply the knowledge and skills they gain during training.
Young people should therefore approach the initiative as an opportunity to build practical skills and improve their career prospects rather than as a guaranteed route to immediate employment.
Important Notice to Applicants
The iDICE Skills-to-Job Programme is a training initiative, not a direct recruitment exercise for permanent Federal Government employment. Applicants should not confuse participation in the programme with receiving an automatic government job.
The programme’s target of 300,000 beneficiaries and its regional allocation figures represent stated programme targets. They do not mean that every person who submits an application will be selected.
Applicants should also verify the specific training courses, selection process, registration requirements and programme arrangements on the official website before making decisions based on information circulated by third parties.
Final Advice
The iDICE Skills-to-Job Programme presents an opportunity for young Nigerians to develop skills relevant to the digital and creative economy. With a stated target of 300,000 beneficiaries across the six geopolitical zones, the initiative is intended to widen access to practical training and improve young people’s readiness for employment and other career opportunities.
If you are between 15 and 35 years old, live in Nigeria and want to build a career in digital technology, creative industries or business-process outsourcing, visit the official portal to check the available registration options.
Read the instructions carefully, provide accurate information and complete the application through the official website. Remember that the training is free, and no individual can legitimately guarantee your selection in exchange for payment.