The Federal Government has opened applications for the iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program 2026, a genuinely large-scale initiative offering 50,000 free training opportunities in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, 300,000 in total, covering all 36 states and the FCT. The program is 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).

This level of multilateral financial backing, spanning the African Development Bank, a French development agency, and the Islamic Development Bank, reflects genuine international confidence in Nigeria’s digital and creative economy as a viable investment target, beyond just domestic government funding alone, and suggests a level of institutional oversight and accountability typical of internationally co-financed development programs.

A Note on the iDICE Umbrella

iDICE (Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises) is a broader Federal Government program supporting Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors through several genuinely distinct initiatives; Skills-to-Jobs is just one of them. Others include the Founders Lab Program (for early-stage tech entrepreneurs aged 18–35, offering up to ₦7 million in non-equity funding), the Startup Bridge Capacity Building Program, and periodic hackathons and Creathons. If you’re specifically looking for skills training and a pathway toward employment rather than startup funding, Skills-to-Jobs is the correct track to pursue, rather than assuming any iDICE-branded opportunity offers the same thing.

What the Program Covers

• Digital skills training relevant to Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
• Creative sector skills, including areas like animation, film, and fashion.
• Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) skills, positioning Nigeria as a destination for digital outsourcing services.
• General workplace and employability skills, delivered alongside technical training rather than in isolation.
• Practical, hands-on instruction rather than purely theoretical coursework, aligned with genuine industry requirements.

Genuine Inclusion Targets

The program has set a specific target of at least 40% of beneficiaries being women, with persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups specifically encouraged to participate. This isn’t a vague aspiration; it’s a stated numerical target built into the program’s design from the outset, reflecting a genuine commitment to broad-based inclusion rather than an afterthought added to the program’s messaging after launch.

Eligibility Requirements

• Nigerian students, recent graduates, job seekers, and young entrepreneurs are all eligible.
• No cost to apply or participate; the training itself is entirely free.
• Applicants apply through the specific pathway corresponding to their state of residence, rather than a single undifferentiated national queue.
• A genuine interest in developing digital, creative, or BPO-relevant skills, regardless of your prior academic background or field of study, since the program has been described as open to a genuinely wide range of candidates.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official iDICE opportunities portal https://idice.ng/skills-training-to-jobs directly, don’t use a third-party link claiming to be official.

2. Select the Skills-to-Jobs Program specifically, distinguishing it from iDICE’s other initiatives like Founders Lab or Startup Bridge.

3. Complete the online application form accurately, selecting the pathway that corresponds to your specific state of residence.

4. Upload all required documents and supporting information requested for the program.

5. Submit your application and watch for further communication regarding training placement.

6. Retain your confirmation and check your registered contact details regularly for updates.

What Participants Can Gain

• Industry-focused digital and creative skills, aligned with genuine market demand.
• Training delivered by accredited training providers, with curricula aligned to industry needs rather than purely theoretical instruction.
• A genuine pathway toward employment, freelancing, entrepreneurship, or broader participation in Nigeria’s digital economy.
• Access to iDICE’s broader ecosystem of incubation, mentorship, and entrepreneurship development support beyond the core training itself.
• A credential or demonstrated skill set that can strengthen future job applications, even outside the specific sectors covered by the training itself.

No Payment Required

The iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program is entirely free to apply for and participate in. Do not pay any individual or agent claiming they can guarantee your selection or expedite your training placement; treat any such request as fraudulent and apply only through the official iDICE portal, regardless of how convincing an alternative claim might appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Program currently open?

Yes, applications are open as of this writing. Given the genuinely large scale of this initiative, apply as soon as possible rather than waiting, since demand for a free, large-scale program like this is likely to be significant.

How many people will this program actually train?

300,000 in total, 50,000 in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, covering all 36 states and the FCT, making this one of the largest single skills-training initiatives launched by the Federal Government in recent years.

Is Skills-to-Jobs the same as iDICE’s Founders Lab program?

No, Founders Lab is a separate, funding-focused initiative for early-stage tech entrepreneurs aged 18–35. Skills-to-Jobs is specifically a training and employability program, open more broadly to students, graduates, and job seekers, without requiring an existing business or startup idea.

Is there a fee to apply?

No, the program is entirely free, with no cost to applicants at any stage, regardless of which specific skill track or state pathway you apply through.

Does the program priorities any specific groups?

Yes. At least 40% of beneficiaries are expected to be women, and persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are specifically encouraged to apply.

Who is actually funding this program?

The Bank of Industry implements it, with financial support from the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and the Islamic Development Bank, a genuinely multilateral funding structure beyond domestic government resources alone, reflecting real international backing for Nigeria’s digital and creative economy ambitions.