President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the digital economy with a $620 million investment into the Digital Economy and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) program. Announced in a live broadcast amidst ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, this initiative aims to create millions of IT and technical jobs, making Nigerian youth globally competitive.
The iDICE program, a collaboration between the government and international partners including the Bank of Industry (BoI), African Development Bank (AfDB), French Development Agency (FDA), and Islamic Development Bank (IDB), seeks to nurture and empower enterprises in the digital and creative sectors.
“This initiative is part of a broader strategy to develop the digital economy and provide sustainable employment opportunities for our burgeoning youth population,” President Tinubu stated.
A key component of iDICE is the 3 Million Technical Talent Scheme (3MTT), designed to provide training and job opportunities to three million young Nigerians in the IT and technical sectors. Despite recent vandalism of the Innovation Park in Kano during protests, the government remains committed to the successful implementation of the 3MTT scheme.
In addition to the iDICE investment, President Tinubu announced several other initiatives to bolster the nation’s economy and improve citizens’ quality of life. These include the release of an additional ₦50 billion for the student loan and credit corporation, the establishment of a consumer credit corporation with over ₦200 billion, and various skill development programs such as the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), the National Youth Talent Export Program (NATEP), and the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA).
These efforts collectively aim to bridge the gap between education and employment, equipping young Nigerians with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive global market.
