The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) initiative for the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
At its 140th meeting, held virtually Thursday, Council Chairman Vice President Kashim Shettima declared the steadfast resolve of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope government to leave a legacy of wealth and opportunity for all Nigerians.
He directed state governors to nominate individuals to represent each geopolitical zone at the zonal level, as well as focal points to oversee the program’s execution in their respective states.
He emphasized that once the initiative goes live in the coming weeks, execution across the country will be meticulous, devoted, and frank.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Sen. Shettima 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.
Senator Shettima specifically noted that prioritizing whatever offers Nigerians a means to earn a living with dignity are part of President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda.
He said, “But two things are clear: one, we won’t ever regret paving the way for the acquisition of skills that meet the needs of the global markets; two, our actions today will shape the economic landscape of tomorrow, and so it’s incumbent upon us to ensure that we leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunity for all Nigerians.
“When we empower entrepreneurs and small business owners, we unlock the potential for innovation, job creation, and economic growth. By providing access to financing, training, and mentorship programs, we unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that lies within every Nigerian, catalysing a wave of economic prosperity that benefits us all. We cannot achieve this without inclusivity and equitable access to opportunities. This is the ladder we must offer to every disadvantaged citizen”.
The VP 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.
“My confidence in our ability to fix our nation stems from the unity of purpose this Council has demonstrated. We have rejected binary thinking, resisted divisions, and relegated self-interest in favor of a shared vision for progress,” he added.
The Vice President 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.
Noting that it is not the best of times to be in office, Shettima implored the governors and other council members to remain constant in executing initiatives that will help wriggle the citizens out of their present condition.
“This is a delicate period to occupy offices like ours. We cannot remind ourselves enough that we have come at a time that tests the depth of our leadership and demands our most rational wisdom to make a difference.
“Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we must remain consistent in implementing the initiatives that alleviate the suffering of our citizens and be accountable in doing so. We must also ensure that interventions we deploy are non-discriminatory and favour all stakeholders, with no part of our communities or nation left lagging,” he stated.
In his presentation on the i-DICE programme, the Executive Director in charge of SMES at the Bank of Industry, Mr 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.
Mr 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.
On the impact of the programme, Mr Omar said 1,269,757 youths will be trained and certified in ICT skills, with at least 25,000 youths trained in each state of the federation and the FCT.
He noted that while at least 100,000 jobs will be created per state, about 5,581,231 indirect jobs will be created through i-DICE interventions nationwide.
Other highlights of the 140th meeting of the Council are as follows:
UPDATE ON ECA
a. Excess crude account (ECA)
$473,754.57
b. Stabilization Account
₦ 33,808,342,662.88
c. Current Balance of Natural Resources
₦113,925,600,918.68
PRESENTATION ON STATE BUDGET SUPPORT FACILITY AS AT 21st MARCH, 2024 FAAC MEETING BY OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION
Outstanding Liability
FCT =49,105,873,326.75
36 States =49,105,873,326.75
Total =1,718,705,566,436.25
ABRIDGED UPDATE ON NEC AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON CRUDE OIL THEFT PREVENTION AND CONTROL PRESENTED BY GOVERNOR HOPE UZODINMA OF IMO STATE
On the request of the Vice President and Chairman of Council, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State presented an abridged version of its report on crude oil theft prevention and control on behalf of the NEC ad hoc Committee.
Governor Uzodinma said the committee met and had far-reaching deliberations and deployed appropriate technologies for data collection. Full report to be tendered at next NEC.
UPDATE ON SUBMISSIONS ON ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE POLICE
Secretary to NEC made a presentation on submissions by States on the state policing initiative.
• Reports have been received by 16 states on the establishment of State police
• 20 states are yet to send in report. All states across the country expressed their support for the establishment of state police for the following reasons
• States made presentations in support of the creation of State Police
• States recommended changes in the constitution and the current policing structure to enable the operationalization of the initiative.
COUNCIL RESOLUTION:
While noting the presentation, the Vice President observed that the rate of submissions by States were not impressive and urged States yet to make inputs to expedite action to enable robust deliberations on the subject-matter at the next Council meeting.
UPDATE ON NEC AD HOC COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS PRESENTED BY KWARA STATE GOVERNOR, ABDULRAHMAN ABDULRAZAQ
Following deliberations on critical economic matters and assessments of potential short-term, medium and long-term strategies to address pressing economic issues at the 138th NEC Meeting held on the 21st of December 2023, a committee on Economic Matters was established and to be chaired by the Governor of Kwara State.
The Committee’s main objective is to develop a feasible and effective roadmap for addressing economic issues affecting Nigerians at the national and sub-national levels and avert a possible economic and socio-political crisis.
Members of the committee include;
Gov. of Kwara State Chairman
Gov. of Gombe State Member
Gov. of Lagos Member
Gov. of Akwa-Ibom Member
Gov. of Katsina Member
Gov. of Anambra Member
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Member
Minister of Finance Member
CBN Governor Member
Special Adviser to the President on NEC Member
Special Assistant to the President on NEC
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
Members were given one month to put together their plans and send in report within the 2nd quarter of 2024.
UPDATE PRESENTATION ON THE SPECIAL AGRO-INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING ZONES PROGRAMME BY NATIONAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR, DR. KABIR YUSUF
• All processes for establishing the phase 1 of the SAPZ have been completed and disbursement for states kickstarted.
• Expression of Interest (EOIs) have been received from 27 states: (Adamawa Pending amidst advantage of Anchor Investor; Sebore farms)
• Guidance letters have been sent to 27 Governors (TOR for studies and request to provide focal points.
• All request presented at the 137th NEC to the Federal Ministry of Finance have been swiftly addressed.
COUNCIL RESOLUTION:
• The Vice President utilized his convening power and called on the SAPZ Financing Partners to fast-track implementation of Component 2 to boost Food Security and drive the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) – Update on Ease of Doing Business intervention by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business
The Council received an update presentation on the Ease of doing Business reforms by PEBEC and commended the work done so far by the PEBEC Secretariat in the country’s ease of doing business reforms.
It noted the need for States to commence preparations for the 2025 subnational ranking for ease of doing business in Nigeria.
The Council also directed its ad hoc committee on economic affairs to work with the Federal Ministry of Finance in coming up with an appropriate approach to states concerns relating to risks associated with loan facilities from development partners.