The Federal Government has announced plans to commence recruitment for Batch B of the Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalisation Programme (YEIDEP), even as several beneficiaries from Batch A complain that promised financial support has yet to be paid.
The nationwide recruitment exercise is expected to begin on March 9, 2026, according to a statement released on Thursday by the programme’s Coordinator-General, Kennedy Iyere.
However, the announcement has sparked renewed frustration among some participants from the programme’s first phase, who say they are still waiting for the disbursement of funds months after completing the registration process.
Iyere urged Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 50 to participate in the new recruitment round, explaining that the application process for Batch B would differ from the approach used during Batch A.
Unlike the first phase, which relied on an online registration portal, prospective applicants will now be required to visit designated partner banks to open a YEIDEP account, which organisers say will serve as the official method of registration.
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Programme officials stressed that the registration is completely free, warning applicants to report any bank staff or intermediaries who attempt to collect fees during the process.
They also clarified that individuals who successfully registered in Batch A and already have confirmed YEIDEP bank accounts will not be eligible to apply again under Batch B. However, those who registered previously but were unable to secure confirmed accounts may still participate in the new exercise.
Applicants were further cautioned against multiple registrations, with organisers noting that duplicate entries would result in automatic disqualification.
The exercise will be conducted across the country, except in Kano State, where Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will oversee the process through a newly established state YEIDEP Steering Committee tasked with coordinating recruitment and selecting beneficiaries.
Banks approved for the account opening and registration process include Fidelity Bank, Keystone Bank, Wema Bank, Union Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, United Bank for Africa, Ecobank, Lotus Bank, and Alpha Morgan Bank.
YEIDEP is coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in collaboration with the Youths Off The Street Initiative and other development partners.
According to programme organisers, the initiative is designed to reduce youth unemployment, poverty, and vulnerability to radicalisation by promoting entrepreneurship and supporting young Nigerians with startup capital.
The scheme targets the empowerment of up to 20 million youths nationwide, providing business support aimed at boosting economic participation while addressing security concerns linked to widespread joblessness.
Iyere emphasised that tackling youth unemployment remains critical to Nigeria’s long-term stability.
“YEIDEP’s core mandate is to tackle Nigeria’s chronic youth unemployment, youth poverty and youth hopelessness, and also their imposed threats of youth radicalisation, socio-political instability, national insecurity and economic unproductivity,” he said.
He added that providing startup funding and entrepreneurial support to young people remains one of the most effective ways to create large-scale employment opportunities and reduce youth frustration.
Despite the launch of the new recruitment phase, dissatisfaction persists among some Batch A participants, who say payments promised to earlier beneficiaries have yet to materialise.
Several registrants claim they have waited for months after completing registration and opening their accounts, despite repeated assurances from organisers that disbursements would soon begin.
The situation has raised concerns among potential applicants about the credibility and implementation of the programme, even as preparations for Batch B recruitment continue.
Observers note that the success of the initiative may largely depend on the government’s ability to address the grievances of Batch A participants and deliver the promised financial support.
