The Federal Government has opened applications for a free Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) training programme targeting 50,000 young people across the six South-West states.
The initiative is being implemented under the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme, with the training designed to prepare participants for employment in Nigeria’s growing digital and outsourcing industry.
According to a statement by the programme organisers, participants will receive training in customer service, data operations, digital services and back-office functions, with successful trainees subsequently connected to employment opportunities.
The application deadline previously announced for the programme was September 30, 2026.
However, the official iDICE Skills-to-Jobs portal continues to display an “Apply Now” option for the South-West.
No formal announcement of an extension has been identified, so prospective applicants should check the official portal directly for the current application status.
The programme is being implemented through the Bank of Industry (BoI) and co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
In the South-West, delivery of the initiative is being handled by Premier Startups Limited and Ethica Resolve Nigeria Limited.
The project team includes George Badejo-Adegbenga, Founder of Ethica Resolve CC and Key Expert, BPO, iDICE Training-to-Jobs; Ejiro Jakpa, Project Delivery Expert; Prof. Dr Rose Ekeng-Itua, Curriculum and Training Lead Expert; and Dr Akanimo Odon, Employer Engagement, Placement and Career Expert.
Organisers said the team combines expertise in curriculum development, training, employer engagement, job placement and career support to help successful participants transition from training into employment.
How the 50,000 slots will be shared
Lagos State has been allocated 10,000 training places, while each of the other five South-West states — Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti — will receive 8,000 slots.
The training will run for between four and eight weeks and will be delivered through virtual and hybrid learning formats. Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive certification.
Beyond training, organisers said the initiative would connect qualified participants with employers, including international companies seeking talent from the region.
Depending on the requirements of individual employers, successful participants could secure office-based, hybrid or fully remote jobs.
Skills covered by the BPO training
The programme will prepare participants for a broad range of roles, including customer service and contact-centre operations, telesales, lead generation and account management.
Other areas include data entry and management, data annotation, quality assurance, content moderation, virtual assistance, finance and human resources administration.
Participants will also be exposed to digital marketing, social media management, content writing, graphic design, UI/UX design support, as well as IT and technical support.
“Work is increasingly being delivered across borders, creating opportunities for skilled talent to serve international companies without leaving their home countries,” the organisers said.
At least 40 per cent of the available places have been reserved for women, while unemployed and underemployed youths, first-time jobseekers, persons with disabilities and young people not in education, employment or training are particularly encouraged to apply.
Who can apply
The programme is open to applicants aged 15 to 35 who reside in any of the six South-West states.
Applicants must have at least an SSCE or equivalent qualification, or demonstrate functional literacy.
They are also required to possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
Successful applicants will undergo the training and may subsequently be matched with employers based on their skills and available vacancies.
With employers increasingly using remote and cross-border work arrangements, the organisers said the programme is intended to expand access to international employment opportunities for young people while building the South-West’s digital workforce.
