FG iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program 2026: Free Digital Skills Training for 300,000 Young Nigerians
Introduction
The Federal Government of Nigeria’s iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program 2026 is a major skills development initiative designed to equip 300,000 young Nigerians with industry-relevant digital, creative, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and workplace skills.
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 Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
The initiative will provide 50,000 training opportunities 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.
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.
- Receive training from accredited training providers.
- Participate in a nationwide Federal Government-backed skills initiative.
The training combines technical skills with workplace and employability competencies rather than focusing only on technical instruction.
The programme is designed to prepare participants for opportunities in Nigeria’s expanding digital and creative industries, Business Process Outsourcing sector and wider global digital economy.
BPO and Digital Services
Business Process Outsourcing involves organisations contracting particular business operations or services to external professionals or service providers.
Depending on the role and employer, opportunities within the BPO and digital services ecosystem can include:
- Customer support
- Digital operations
- Administrative services
- Technology services
- Other business functions
The programme aims to combine technical and workplace competencies so participants can pursue opportunities within Nigeria’s growing BPO ecosystem and the wider global outsourcing industry.
The exact training available to each participant may depend on their location, training provider and applicable programme pathway.
Eligibility
The programme is 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.
- Persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are specifically encouraged to apply.
Training Slots by Geopolitical Zone
The programme provides 50,000 training slots for each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
North Central – 50,000 slots
- Benue
- Kogi
- Kwara
- Nasarawa
- Niger
- Plateau
- Federal Capital Territory
North East – 50,000 slots
- Adamawa
- Bauchi
- Borno
- Gombe
- Taraba
- Yobe
North West – 50,000 slots
- Jigawa
- Kaduna
- Kano
- Katsina
- Kebbi
- Sokoto
- Zamfara
South East – 50,000 slots
- Abia
- Anambra
- Ebonyi
- Enugu
- Imo
South South – 50,000 slots
- Akwa Ibom
- Bayelsa
- Cross River
- Delta
- Edo
- Rivers
South West – 50,000 slots
- Ekiti
- Lagos
- Ogun
- Ondo
- Osun
- Oyo
Applicants are required to apply according to their state of residence.
Deadline
The source page does not state a specific application deadline for the iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program 2026.
Applicants should therefore apply through the official platform while applications remain open.
How to Apply
Applications are organised according to the applicant’s geopolitical zone and state of residence.
To apply:
- Visit the official iDICE Skills-to-Jobs application page.
- Review the programme information and eligibility requirements.
- Identify the geopolitical zone containing your state of residence.
- Select the application option for your zone.
- Complete the required application information.
- Carefully review your details.
- Submit your application.
The application is completely free. Applicants should use the official iDICE application platform.
Important Information for Applicants
- Applicants must be 15–35 years old.
- Applicants must reside in Nigeria.
- Applications are organised according to geopolitical zones.
- Each of the six zones has 50,000 training slots.
- 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 this does not constitute an automatic job offer.
- Application is completely free.
Scholarships Expiring Soon
Conclusion
The iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program offers young Nigerians a chance to gain practical digital and creative skills designed around real employment opportunities in Nigeria’s digital economy, BPO sector and global outsourcing industry.
Application Link
Apply through the official iDICE Skills-to-Jobs platform:
Application fee: Free
Target: 300,000 young Nigerians
Age: 15–35 years
Coverage: All 36 states and FCT
Deadline: Not stated on the source page.
