News
FG TO LAUNCH $617M INVESTMENT IN DIGITAL, CREATIVE ENTERPRISES PROGRAMME
FG TO LAUNCH $617M INVESTMENT IN DIGITAL, CREATIVE ENTERPRISES PROGRAMME
…VP Shettima directs technical committee to ensure inclusivity
By: Our Reporter
Determined to deliver on the promise to create millions of jobs in the technology space, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has proposed November 2023 to launch the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme.
To ensure this unfolds into a reality, Vice President Kashim Shettima has given marching orders to members of the i-DICE Steering Committee, tasking them to make sure the programme starts before the end of November this year.
The VP gave the directive on Friday when the i-DICE team gave him an update on the progress made so far during a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
At the meeting, Sen. Shettima emphasised the importance of the initiative to Federal Government’s digital jobs drive, saying the administration is keen on delivering on its promises to Nigerians.
Accordingly, he urged all partners in the i-DICE programme to ensure judicious utilisation of the funds, noting that the $617.7 million scheme could be a game changer.
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 latest 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.
On his part, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijjani, said the scheme is a unique opportunity.
He noted: “The Nigerian technology and creative ecosystem has been doing well and is the best on the continent. We actually want to be a leader globally. And there’s no other way to do that than investing in the technology startups that are building these solutions.
“So, the government is putting its skin in the game to say ‘we want to support; we want to see more local confidence building’. And there’s no other way to show that than by putting money in some of the startups.”
For his part, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Mr Kayode Pitan, hinted that the Vice President gave them marching orders to start by next month.
He said, “The Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) Programme programme is actually a $617 million programme. The funding has been concluded with African Development Bank (AfDB), the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
“BOI (Bank Of Industry) also will put in some part of that funding. It will cover the digital area, the creative area and entertainment area, especially the areas that the youth are interested in. So, this is actually for the youths – people below 35. We have some grants, we have some loans. There’s some equity, and for the startups, government is hoping that some new unicorns are going to emerge from this particular programme”.
Also present at the meeting were the Ministers of Science and Technology Innovation, Mr Uche Nnaji; Industry Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hajiya Hannatu Musawa, among others.
FG TO LAUNCH $617M INVESTMENT IN DIGITAL, CREATIVE ENTERPRISES PROGRAMME
NGX boss restates commitment to gender equality
The Group Chairman Nigerian Exchange Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga has restated the NGX’s commitment to gender equality and diversity at all levels of the organisation.
Kwairanga stated this in Lagos on Tuesday while delivering his welcome address on the occasion of the closing ceremony in honour of the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who visited the floor of the Nigerian Exchange.
He stated that the Nigerian Exchange Group as an organisation remained committed to inclusiveness that drive growth and development at all levels of the NGX’s dealings.
He stated that through such inclusive representation, the NGX has achieved near parity at the board levels of the organisation and was working to improve the representation of female employees down the line.
“As an institution committed to sustainable growth and practices, we recognise the important qualities and values that women bring to the workplace and know that they perform just as well, if not better than men.
“It is a tradition in finance and investment that can be traced to the origins of the banking, finance and investment professions when most of the trade guilds that evolved into those professions were largely composed of men.
“The tradition has persisted for hundreds of years but despite that nomenclature, let me assure you that the investment and securities sector is very welcoming to and open to city gentlemen who are female.
“Women are very well represented at all levels of our industry and I can confide in you that the next President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers is going to be a woman,” he said.
Kwairanga stated that the NGX would partner with the Ministry to accelerate progress for women’s rights and improve the lot of female gender across the country.
He commended Sulaiman-Ibrahim for her several bold and innovative initiatives that would have positive impact on women and the country as a whole.
NGX boss restates commitment to gender equality
Benue troops neutralize one terrorist, arrest four suspects in Gwer West LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1 Operation Wirld Stroke deployed at FOB Bilawa-Jor conducted a fighting patrol within Mbapa and Mbabuande general areas on March 23, 2026.
During the operation, troops made contact with terrorists, neutralizing one suspect while others fled.
Following a pursuit, four additional suspects were apprehended and are currently in the custody of security forces for further investigation and prosecution.
In a similar development the troops
recovered a vehicle carrying two cows abandoned by suspected cattle rustlers in Uhemba.
The incident occurred at about 0348hrs on March 24, 2026, when the troops responded to intelligence reports of rustling activities in the area.
Upon the arrival of troops, the suspects fled, leaving behind the vehicle and livestock.
The recovered vehicle and cows are now in the custody of the troops for further investigation and legal action.
Military continue to urge the public to provide timely information on criminal activities to support ongoing security efforts.
Benue troops neutralize one terrorist, arrest four suspects in Gwer West LGA
Kogi troops neutralize suspected terrorist in Kabba/Bunu LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 12 Brigade have neutralized a suspected terrorist during a fighting patrol at Odoape–Adankolo Forest in Kabba/Bunu LGA.
The encounter occurred at about 1400hrs on March 23, 2026, when the patrol team made contact with the fleeing suspect.
Preliminary investigation identified the neutralized individual as a notorious terrorist involved in providing intelligence and targets for kidnappings, as well as participating in cattle rustling and supplying logs to terrorist groups.
The military has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive patrols and intelligence-led operations to curb criminal activities and protect residents in the area.
Kogi troops neutralize suspected terrorist in Kabba/Bunu LGA
NGX boss restates commitment to gender equality
General Chris Musa, Hi-tech Fencing of Nigerian Porous Borders and the Foolish Pride of Sowore
Benue troops neutralize one terrorist, arrest four suspects in Gwer West LGA
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