FG Set To Launch $617.7m Digital Initiative In November

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Government has proposed kicking off the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) initiative in November 2023.

The goal was established on Friday during a meeting with the i-DICE Steering Committee in Vice President Kashim Shettima’s office at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Vice President gave the team directions to guarantee the program begins before the end of November this year in order to make sure this comes to pass.

The Office of the Vice President’s Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Stanley Nkwocha, said in a statement that the initiative is part of the administration’s commitment to fulfilling its pledge to create millions of jobs in the technology sector.

The VP gave the order on Friday during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, when the i-DICE team updated him on the situation.

Sen. Shettima stressed the initiative’s significance to the Federal Government’s quest for digital jobs at the meeting, adding the administration is eager to keep its commitments to Nigerians.

In light of the fact that the $617.7 million initiative might change the game, he asked all i-DICE program partners to ensure wise use of the funds.

The Vice President stated: “The peculiarity of the challenges we face in the country demands that we have to create jobs for our teeming youths to address the crises associated with youth unemployment. I want to appeal to all of us here to unite and see that this programme takes off by the end of November this year.

“I am interested in getting a weekly update on what is being done to kick-start this programme. We also need to spread out to cover the whole country so that there is inclusivity. If we judiciously utilise these funds, the target impact and anticipated benefits will be immense.

“I want to assure the technical committee, all those working on this programme and our international partners, that you will get all the support that you will need. We mean business. My boss, President Bola Tinubu, is passionate about the transformation of this country. So, you have nothing to worry about the government’s support”.

Speaking with State House correspondents shortly after the meeting, Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun described the project as “very key to the promise of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly to the youth, for the creation of 1.2 million digital jobs.

“This $617 million project will go a long way to achieving the President’s priorities on job creation and economic growth, particularly inclusivity. One of the major elements is going to have 50% participation by women,” he added.