National Economic Council Approves $617.7 Million i-DICE Programme to Boost Digital and Creative Enterprises Nationwide

 

In a bid to stimulate economic growth and foster job creation, the National Economic Council (NEC) has given the green light for the implementation of the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme across all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

During the council's 140th meeting held virtually, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who serves as the chairman, affirmed the unwavering commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to leave a lasting legacy of prosperity and opportunities for all Nigerians.

Vice President Shettima urged state governors to appoint representatives from each geopolitical zone and focal persons to spearhead the programme's implementation in their respective states. He assured that diligent and committed execution of the scheme would commence in the coming weeks.
Addressing the council, Senator Shettima emphasized the administration's focus on skill acquisition and job creation as vital components of President Tinubu's eight-point agenda. He underscored the significance of empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners to drive innovation, job creation, and economic growth.

Highlighting the role of the NEC in steering the nation towards economic prosperity, Vice President Shettima stressed the importance of unity of purpose and a shared vision for progress among council members. He affirmed the council's transition from deliberations to the implementation phase, actively pursuing short-term goals en route to achieving medium-term and long-term strategies.
While acknowledging the challenges facing the nation, Senator Shettima urged governors and council members to remain steadfast in executing initiatives aimed at alleviating citizens' suffering and propelling the country towards recovery.

The i-DICE programme, presented by Mr. Shekarau Omar, Executive Director of SMEs at the Bank of Industry, aims to create millions of jobs in the technology sector and support the government's agenda of diversifying the economy. Funding for the programme will be sourced from organizations including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), among others.
Mr. Omar highlighted the programme's projected impact, including the training and certification of over 1.2 million youths in ICT skills, creation of at least 100,000 jobs per state, and generation of approximately 5.5 million indirect jobs nationwide through i-DICE interventions.

The approval of the i-DICE programme marks a significant milestone in the government's efforts to harness the potential of digital and creative enterprises for sustainable economic development and job creation in Nigeria.