Thursday, November 7

FG inaugurates initiative to provide digital skills to 3m MSMEs

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated ‘Skillnovation Programme’ to provide essential digital skills required to succeed in the global economy to over three million Nigerians.

Shettima, while launching the programme on Friday in the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the initiative was part of the government’s efforts to support the information technology revolution.

Sharpedgenews reports that the Skillnovation Programme will establish 15 state-of-the-art Information Communication Technology Centres, strategically, across the country.

The programme will also provide individuals and businesses alike with access to cutting-edge digital training, resources and support.

NAN also reports that States in the first phase of the programme are Katsina, Anambra, Borno, Lagos, Oyo, and Kano while the second phase will include Delta, Kaduna, Ogun, Bauchi, Kwara and Ekiti States.

According to the Vice-President, the initiative will, in turn, extend the reach of economic and social interactions as well as enhance productivity growth in the country.

“Skillnovation is a “transformative initiative that ushers in a new era of digital empowerment for Nigerians.

“The initiative will provide over three million Nigerians with essential digital skills required to succeed in the global economy.

“We are compelled to tread this path by the direction in which the world has headed; a world of disruptive technologies redefined by the fourth Industrial Revolution.

“This initiative is a response to the evolution of the modern business environment and acknowledgment that digital skills have become the cornerstone of economic ease and expansion.”

Shettima hinted that the gathering was one of the many to come and an occasion to reassure the nation that President Bola Tinubu was fully committed to supporting small businesses across the country.

According to him, Nigeria, with its expanding MSMEs sector of close to 40 million, has the potential to lead business innovation beyond Africa.

“The Skillnovation Programme, therefore, aims to unlock this immense potential.

“The initiative is designed to provide the necessary tools and skills for our MSMEs to thrive and compete on the global stage.

“As you have witnessed, ladies and gentlemen, the Skillnovation Programme is not a mere promise; it is a resounding commitment to the Nigerian people.

“It is in pursuit of this administration’s resolve to empower our youths and MSMEs and to create a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.

“Today, we are translating that commitment into action and we intend to be your allies in your race to take over the world through your enhanced skills.”

The Vice-President gave assurance that nobody would be left out of the programme regardless of age, gender or disability.

“There will be no disadvantaged demographic in accessing this opportunity.

“Our youths, women and persons with disabilities have found friends and allies.

“And will be favoured in our proposed single-digit loan schemes for our valued MSMEs, for which talks are already ongoing with the Bank of Industry and other critical stakeholders and partners.”

He also said that the programme was a significant step towards achievement of the Federal Government’s vision of a digitally empowered and economically prosperous Nigeria.

“By providing MSMEs with the essential digital skills and support they need to succeed, the programme will help to create jobs, boost economic growth and improve the lives of millions of Nigerians,” Shettima said.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Mr Temitola Adekunle-Johnson said the significance of partnership could not be overemphasised.

“The government alone cannot address the challenges confronting Nigerians,” Adekunle-Johnson said.

Also, the Managing Director of Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni commended the President and Vice-President for their passion to empower young Nigerians.

He announced the establishment of skills training centres across 17 States, beginning with Lagos and Borno.

“The programme will directly impact two million youths and one million small businesses across the benefitting States.

“I am optimistic that the scheme will be impactful, particularly empowering young Nigerians and preparing them for the challenges of the future,” Oseni said.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijjani, said that the Tinubu administration would leverage the enthusiasm of youths in the technology space to launch Nigeria as a global power in the sector.

“I call on other private sector organisations to collaborate with the government to actualise the objective of job creation,” Tijjani said.

For his part, Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto pledged the State Government’s support for the success of the programme.

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