- The Federal Government has opened applications for the iDICE Skills Training to Jobs Programme 2026, targeting Nigerian youth
- The programme covers digital and creative sectors, including animation, film, fashion, BPO, and entrepreneurship, at no cost to applicants
- Eligible participants include students, recent graduates, job seekers, and young entrepreneurs looking to build careers in Nigeria’s digital economy
Pascal Oparada is a journalist with Legit.ng, covering technology, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy for over a decade.
The Federal Government has opened applications for the iDICE Skills Training to Jobs Programme 2026, offering 30,000 training opportunities to Nigerian youths seeking practical digital and creative skills that can improve their chances of securing employment.
The initiative is being implemented under the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme, a Federal Government-backed initiative focused on strengthening Nigeria’s technology and creative economy through skills development, entrepreneurship, financing and ecosystem support.
Credit: iDICE/State House
Source: Getty Images
What the iDICE programme offers
The Skills Training to Jobs Programme is designed to give participants practical, employment-focused training in areas relevant to Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
Successful applicants can benefit from:
- Free digital and creative skills training
- Practical, career-focused learning
- Career development support
- Exposure to employment opportunities
- Skills designed for work in the digital economy
Beyond the training component, iDICE supports incubation, mentorship and entrepreneurship development for young Nigerians pursuing opportunities in technology and the creative industries.
Programme targets 300,000 training opportunities
The wider iDICE programme has an ambitious target of creating 300,000 training opportunities for Nigerian youths.
The initiative is intended to help participants develop skills that can be used to secure jobs, pursue freelancing opportunities, start businesses or participate in the growing digital economy.
For young people facing a competitive job market, the programme could provide an opportunity to gain practical skills without paying tuition for the training.
Who can apply?
The opportunity is particularly relevant to Nigerian youths interested in developing skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
Potential beneficiaries include:
- Young Nigerians seeking digital skills
- Students and recent graduates
- Job seekers looking to improve their employability
- Aspiring technology entrepreneurs
- Young creatives
- Nigerians interested in freelancing and remote work
The broader iDICE initiative also identifies young entrepreneurs and students among its target beneficiaries.
Skills and sectors covered
The iDICE programme covers several areas within Nigeria’s digital and creative economy.
These include technology and digital skills, digital media, animation, gaming, fashion, design, film, music and entrepreneurship.
The initiative also includes Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) training, which is aimed at equipping Nigerians with skills that can support participation in global freelancing and remote-work opportunities.
Why the training matters
Digital skills are becoming increasingly important as more businesses adopt technology and young Nigerians explore employment opportunities beyond traditional workplaces.
By combining skills training with career support and wider entrepreneurship initiatives, iDICE seeks to help participants turn their knowledge into jobs, freelance income or businesses.
Credit: iDICE/State House
Source: Getty Images
The application process for iDICE initiatives is free, meaning applicants should be cautious of anyone demanding payment in exchange for access to the programme.
How to Apply
Interested Nigerian youths should visit the official iDICE programme application portal to check eligibility requirements, available training opportunities and application instructions.
Applicants should provide accurate information and carefully follow the instructions published on the official portal.
The application deadline and available training cohorts may vary, so prospective applicants should check the official programme portal for the latest information before submitting an application.
FG opens application portal for AI training
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigerians looking to acquire practical skills in artificial intelligence, makeup and fashion design can now apply for free training under a Federal Government initiative aimed at improving economic opportunities for young people.
Registration has opened for the next cohort of the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) programme in Oyo State, giving applicants the chance to develop technical and vocational skills without paying training fees.
The registration was announced by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre on X on Thursday.
Source: Legit.ng