H.E. Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru
The Ebonyi State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (EBSMEDA) has announced the opening of applications for the iDICE South-East Skills-to-Jobs Programme, with 10,000 training slots available to eligible young people in the state.
The programme, being executed in Ebonyi State by DEL-YORK GROUP in collaboration with EBSMEDA, is designed for young people between the ages of 18 and 35 seeking to develop skills for employment, freelancing, entrepreneurship and careers in the digital, creative and business sectors.
According to the agency, the 44-week programme is part of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, implemented by the Bank of Industry (BOI) and funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other financing partners.
The initiative is aimed at developing market-relevant skills, improving employability and supporting entrepreneurship within Nigeria’s growing digital and creative economy.
Training areas include technology and digital skills such as data entry, technical support, data analysis, content creation and SEO, graphic design, UI/UX design, coding basics, product management, motion graphics, artificial intelligence tools, digital marketing, cybersecurity and customer service.
Participants will also have opportunities to acquire skills in creative manufacturing and crafts, including fashion design, culinary arts and food production, animation, graphics and motion design, leatherwork, product packaging, jewellery making, event decoration and design, among others.
The programme also provides practical entrepreneurship and trade skills aimed at supporting income generation and enterprise development.
EBSMEDA said special opportunities are available for women and persons living with disabilities as part of efforts to promote wider participation in the programme.
The agency stated that applications will close on September 25, 2026, urging eligible young people across Ebonyi State to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire marketable skills and explore pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
Interested applicants are expected to visit www.idice.ng/skills-training-to-jobs, select the South-East and complete the application process.
For applicants who require assistance with registration, the agency advised them to visit the Staff Development Centre, Kpirikpiri, Abakaliki, for guidance and come along with a valid means of identification.
For enquiries, applicants can contact 0813 646 9797 or 0806 088 5755.
