By Ayo Kehinde
The Federal Government has announced the commencement of Batch B recruitment for the Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalisation Programme (YEIDEP), set to begin nationwide on Monday, March 9.
The initiative aims to empower 20 million Nigerian youths by providing start-up capital and promoting self-employment opportunities.
Coordinator-General of YEIDEP, Kennedy Iyere, urged eligible Nigerians aged 18 to 50 to participate in the exercise.
While the recruitment will take place across the country, Kano State will be managed separately by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf through the newly established Kano State YEIDEP Steering Committee.
Unlike the Batch A registration phase, which was conducted online, Batch B applicants are required to visit designated partner banks in person to open a YEIDEP bank account.
Organisers emphasised that this bank account is the only valid means of becoming a recognised participant and potential beneficiary.
The registration process is free of charge, and applicants were warned against paying any fees to intermediaries or bank officials.
Individuals who already possess confirmed YEIDEP accounts from Batch A are ineligible for the new phase.
However, those who registered previously but did not receive confirmed accounts are encouraged to participate. Multiple registrations are strictly prohibited, and violators will be automatically disqualified.
Authorised banks for the programme include Fidelity Bank, Keystone Bank, Alpha Morgan Bank, Wema Bank, Union Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, United Bank for Africa, Ecobank, and Lotus Bank.
The programme, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in partnership with the Youths Off The Street Initiative and supported by development partners, is designed to address youth unemployment, poverty, and vulnerability to radicalisation.
“Our mandate is to tackle youth frustration, radicalisation, and restiveness, which threaten national security, socio-political stability, and economic productivity.
“YEIDEP empowers youths through start-up capital and support mechanisms, fostering entrepreneurship and mass employment opportunities,” Iyere said.
