The Federal Government has opened applications for free business process outsourcing (BPO) training for 50,000 young people across the six South-West states under its Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme.

In a press statement issued, the programme organisers said the training would equip participants with skills in customer service, data, digital and back-office operations, while successful trainees would be linked with employment opportunities.

The programme, 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), is being delivered in the South-West by Premier Startups Limited and Ethica Resolve Nigeria Limited.

The project team includes Founder, Ethica Resolve CC and Key Expert (BPO), iDICE Training-to-Jobs, George Badejo-Adegbenga; Project Delivery Experr, Ejiro Jakpa; Curriculum and Training Lead Expert, Prof. Dr Rose Ekeng-Itua; and Employer Engagement, Placement and Career Expert, Dr. Akanimo Odon.

The organisers said the team brings together expertise spanning training and curriculum development, employer engagement, job placement and career support for successful participants.

Lagos has been allocated 10,000 slots, while Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states will each receive 8,000 places.

The training will last between four and eight weeks and will be delivered through virtual and hybrid formats. Participants who complete the programme will receive certification.

The programme will also link trained participants with employers, including international companies recruiting talent from the region. Depending on employer requirements, jobs may be office-based, hybrid or fully remote.

Participants will be trained for roles covering customer service and contact-centre operations, telesales, lead generation, account management, data entry and management, data annotation, quality assurance, content moderation, virtual assistance, finance and human resources administration, digital marketing, social media management, content writing, graphic and 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 programme organisers said.

The organisers said at least 40 per cent of the available places had been reserved for women, while unemployed and underemployed youths, first-time jobseekers, persons with disabilities and young people not in education, employment or training would be encouraged to apply.

According to them, it is open to applicants aged between 15 and 35 who reside in any of the six South-West states. Applicants are required to have at least an SSCE or equivalent qualification, or demonstrable functional literacy, as well as a valid National Identification Number (NIN).

They said successful participants could be matched with employers, including international companies recruiting talent from the region, with opportunities potentially available on-site, remotely or through hybrid arrangements.