August 6, 2025 – The Edo State Government, through the Office of the First Lady, is collaborating with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to promote entrepreneurship and boost job creation in the state.
The move is part of Governor Sen. Monday Okpebholo’s administration’s agenda to produce skillful entrepreneurs and strengthen the local economy.
The partnership was discussed during a meeting between the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Anani, and NDE delegates at the Government House in Benin City. Mrs. Anani emphasized the importance of small businesses, describing them as the backbone of every economy and a driver of sustainable development.
“Entrepreneurship is the foundation of every society. The truth is that no society can be successful without entrepreneurs. Small-scale businesses drive the economy because they start from the bottom, the grassroots level, where money circulates more freely. With more local residents involved in these businesses, we’ll have a robust Internally Generated Revenue contributing to Federal and State revenues,” she stated.
Mrs. Anani commended the Directorate for its ongoing programmes aimed at engaging youths in productive activities and keeping them away from harmful practices.
She praised the Development Graduate Attachment Programme for its role in bridging the gap between education and employment by providing work experience to graduates.
She encouraged the Directorate to increase publicity for its initiatives, particularly through radio, to reach more people and boost participation. Highlighting the role of women in societal and economic growth, Mrs. Anani stressed that empowering women has a multiplier effect, benefiting men, children, and the overall economy.
She cited the “From Farm to Table” agricultural empowerment programme as a successful initiative that motivates women to engage in small-scale farming, even in their backyards, to promote healthy eating and food security.
The programme supports women by providing farming tools and seeds and offers a ₦1 million prize for the woman with the best home farm.
On his part, the State Coordinator of NDE, Mr. James Ikanoba, highlighted the agency’s achievements in tackling skills gaps and addressing unemployment through various targeted programmes.
“We’ve tackled various areas, catering for diverse groups, including those with or without formal education, students in primary, secondary, and higher institutions, and retirees. We’ve designed numerous programmes to meet the Council’s needs. We’ve conducted extensive trainings over the years,” he said.
Mr. Ikanoba outlined several initiatives aimed at empowering individuals in agriculture, vocational skills, small-scale industries, and infrastructure development. These programmes, he noted, are designed to reach youth, women, and retirees by providing training, job experience, and ongoing support.
He announced the NDE’s recent launch of online recruitment for the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative. Registration, which began on July 28, 2025, and will end on August 11, 2025, offers opportunities in four key areas: the Rural Employment Promotion Programme, the Small Scale Enterprises Programme, the Vocational Skills Development Programme, and the Special Public Works Programme.
The Senior Information Officer of the NDE, Mr. Oluchi Okuone, added that job creation efforts go beyond white-collar jobs to include support for artisans, small-scale industries, and informal sector workers, who play a vital role in the economy.
According to him, “The Government is taking a cue from countries like Singapore and China to support these sectors through programmes like Vocational Skills Development and Small-Scale Enterprise Initiatives.” He emphasized that supporting small-scale businesses not only promotes innovation but also contributes to the economic resilience of communities.
The collaboration between the Edo State Government and the NDE aims to combine resources and expertise to strengthen entrepreneurship, reduce unemployment, and foster sustainable economic growth.
The initiatives will particularly focus on equipping young people and women with relevant skills, providing financial empowerment opportunities, and enhancing the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.
Mrs. Anani expressed optimism that with increased awareness, more residents will take advantage of these programmes to start and grow their own businesses, leading to broader economic benefits for Edo State and Nigeria as a whole.
