By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Federal Government has disclosed plans to create at least 100,000 verifiable jobs by May 29, 2024.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Job Creation, Office of the Vice-President, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson unveiled the plan in Abuja on Friday, 24 February, 2024.
Adekunle-Johnson stated this at the inaugural Job Creation and MSME Quarterly Communications Forum, organised by the Job Creation & MSME Secretariat, Office of the Vice President.
According to him, \the Federal Government was focusing on job creation in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“We are saying that by May 29, we will create at least 100,000 jobs. The target is to create 384,000 jobs in four years,” the presidential aide said adding that the initiative would be a partnership between the Federal Government and Access Bank.
“Today’s programme is to announce our partnership with the Access Bank, how the bank is trying to support the government with regard to access to funding for MSMEs.
“Right now, the interest rate for loans is between 27 and 29 per cent, but the Access bank is giving us at the rate of 15 per cent.
“The bank is committing N50 billion to support MSMEs. They are even now saying that if you are an MSME and you want to collect N1 to N3 million, don’t worry; the collateral that they need is simplified to enable you to have access to the money,” he stated.
Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the Federal Government was committed to creating an enabling environment for MSMEs in the country.Represented by the director-general, Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, the minister said President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda recognised job creation and MSMES development as strong pillars for sustainable economic development.
