The Federal Government has disclosed that preparations for the second phase of the Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalisation Programme (YEIDEP), also known as Batch B, will commence around mid-2026, clarifying that fresh registration under the programme is not expected to begin until later in the year.
The disclosure was made during a recent stakeholders’ engagement where government officials explained that the phased structure of YEIDEP was designed to ensure accountability, effective monitoring, and long-term sustainability, rather than rushing multiple registration cycles at the same time.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the programme would be implemented carefully in phases, adding that “preparations for a second phase would commence around mid-year,” in line with the Federal Government’s implementation schedule.
Olawande also explained that the phased rollout was deliberate, noting that earlier stages of the programme focused on planning, coordination, and system development to avoid operational gaps when new beneficiaries are eventually brought on board.
According to the minister, this approach is meant to guide public expectations, especially amid claims on social media that the YEIDEP portal is currently open for Batch B registration, even though new applications are not being accepted at this time.
He said the government’s position remains that Phase Two activities will align with mid-2026 timelines, which broadly refer to the middle of the year, around June and July, rather than the early months when Phase One processes are still being completed.
The clarification, officials said, is important to prevent confusion among interested youths, many of whom have attempted to access the portal despite the absence of an official announcement opening Batch B registration.
Programme coordinators have maintained that the decision to separate registration phases allows implementing agencies and financial partners to review performance, address challenges, and strengthen systems before expanding the programme to a new set of beneficiaries.
They added that this structure also supports transparency and sustainability, ensuring that lessons from the initial rollout are incorporated into subsequent phases, rather than overwhelming the system with simultaneous intakes.
The minister reiterated that YEIDEP’s phased design remains central to its objectives, stressing that proper sequencing allows the programme to deliver impact while maintaining public trust and institutional credibility.
Olawande said the government would continue to communicate clearly as each phase approaches, noting that official updates will guide when new registrations open and how interested youths can participate at the appropriate time.
He added that patience from the public is necessary to allow ongoing processes to run their course, as the phased approach is intended to strengthen outcomes rather than delay opportunities.
Officials said this sequencing would help the programme expand responsibly when Batch B eventually begins and protect beneficiaries and public resources nationwide over time ahead.
