The National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed the implementation of the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme in the 36 States of the federation and the FCT.
At its 140th meeting held virtually on Thursday, Chairman of the Council and the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima declared the firm resolve of the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunities for all Nigerians.
He told State Governors to nominate persons to represent each geo-political zone at the zonal level and focal persons to lead the implementation of the programme in their respective States.
Shettima assured that as the scheme becomes operational in the coming weeks, implementation across the country will be diligent, committed and forthright.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, the Vice President assured that the administration will not rest on its oars until the citizens begin to bask in the opportunities they were promised, noting that it is the reason why the government is prioritizing skill acquisition and job creation.
He specifically noted that prioritising whatever offers Nigerians a means to earn a living with dignity are part of President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda.
Shettima noted that the government has “moved beyond mere deliberations to the implementation phase” and it is actively pursuing its “short-term goals en route to achieving our medium-term and long-term strategies.
He observed however that despite the interventions made so far to prevent natural disasters, “to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, to alleviate the short-term inflationary impacts of our economic-saving decisions, to mitigate environmental damage, and to curb revenue loss”, the efforts would be useless to the citizens unless “job creation and skill development at every corner of the nation” are prioritised.
In his presentation on the i-DICE programme, the Executive Director in charge of SMES at the Bank of Industry, Shekarau Omar said the i-DICE programme, a special intervention by government, aims to deliver on the promise by the Tinubu administration to create millions of jobs in the technology space.
Omar explained that the programme is in support of government’s agenda to create more sustainable jobs, diversify the economy and equip digital and creative incubation hubs/innovation centers across the country.
He listed African Development Bank (AfDB), the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) among organisations that will fund the programme, giving a breakdown of how the funds will be sourced as follows: AfDB, $170million; IsDB, $70 million; AFD, $116 million; Bank of Industry (BoI) on behalf of federal government of Nigeria (FGN), $45.50 million; Fund Manager (For Equity Fund only), $8.70 million, and private investors, $205 million.
Editor: Ken Eseni
