NDE gives business loans to over 5,000 youths nationwide

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has provided business start-up loans to 5,532 unemployed youths across the country.

The initiative aims to equip young people with the financial support needed to establish small-scale businesses.

Speaking at an event in Ado-Ekiti to mark the resettlement of trained beneficiaries, Silas Ali Agara, NDE’s director-general, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to job creation.

Represented by Sanusi Akeem, NDE’s Ekiti state coordinator, Agara said the programme was designed to provide sustainable employment opportunities.

“This initiative was designed to create employment opportunities by supporting small-scale enterprises to foster economic growth and development,” he said.

According to Agara, 33,692 youths have undergone training in vocational skills, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and public works over the past three months.

“This initiative has culminated in the launching of the resettlement of the trained beneficiaries, the goal of which is to empower participants to become not only self-employed but also employers of labour,” he said.

“A total of 5,532 beneficiaries will be resettled with loans and starter packs nationwide to enable them to establish their own businesses.”

Agara urged recipients to make the most of the opportunity, saying, “Use this support wisely to build businesses that will drive growth and economic development”.

He also acknowledged the contributions of state and local governments in facilitating the programme.