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PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (Reuters) - The United Nations has offered to take a lead role in educating hundreds of former Nigerian rebels and providing graduates with job opportunities in the Niger Delta, a U.N. official said on Monday.

The U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), along with Royal Dutch Shell and Nigeria's Delta State government, is expected in the next few months to begin a $5 million pilot project in Delta's city of Egbokodo to rehabilitate and reintegrate former gunmen back into society.

U.N. involvement could help revive President Umaru Yar'Adua's amnesty programme, which has stalled since he left Nigeria for a Saudi Arabian hospital more than two months ago.

"The initiative was conceived as a result of research carried out in the region which recommended that job creation and youth employment would largely provide solutions to restiveness and militancy," said Wirba Alidu, project coordinator for the U.N. Office for Project Services in Nigeria.

"We are investing very much in the mindset change and re-orientation programmes for the youths," he said.

Thousands of militants last year handed over weapons in return for Yar'Adua's promise for clemency, monthly stipends, vocational training, jobs and investment.

But the federal government has yet to roll out its full education and training programmes, leading to frustration among some ex-fighters who believe Abuja has reneged on its promises.

Security sources say this frustration could lead to renewed attacks in the heartland of Africa's biggest oil and gas sector.