Vice President Kashim Shettima has instructed the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) team to ensure the program begins no later than the end of November.
Shettima issued this directive during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday when the i-DICE team provided an update on its progress. He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to fulfilling its promise of generating millions of jobs in the technology sector in Nigeria. The administration has proposed November 2023 as the launch date for the $617.7 million i-DICE Investment program.
Shettima stressed the importance of this initiative to the Federal Government’s efforts to create digital jobs. He urged all partners involved in the i-DICE program to make efficient use of the funds. He believes that the $617.7 million program can be a game-changing endeavor.
Given the unique challenges facing the country, especially related to youth unemployment, Shettima emphasized the need to create jobs for the nation’s youth. He requested regular updates on the progress of the program, with the aim of launching it by the end of November this year. He also highlighted the importance of nationwide coverage to ensure inclusivity.
The Vice-President assured the technical committee, program personnel, and international partners that they would receive full support from the government, emphasizing President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the country’s transformation. Shettima stated, “We mean business, and my boss, President Bola Tinubu, is passionate about the transformation of this country. So, you have nothing to worry about regarding government support.”