By Joy Omagha Idam.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Focal Unit of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) Programme has intensified efforts to expand participation in the landmark $618 million initiative, following the registration of 4,000 prospective beneficiaries out of more than 37,000 registrations recorded across Nigeria’s North-Central Region.
The FCT is targeting between 8,000 and 10,000 registrations, while the North-Central Region has an overall target of 50,000 young people under the programme.
A statement released at the weekend in Abuja by the Team Lead Corporate Communications of AEA, Comrade Emmanuel Tortiv, says the FCT Focal Person for the i-DICE Programme and Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AEA, Dr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, described the initiative as a game-changing intervention designed to unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s digital and creative economy.
He said the country’s greatest employment challenge is not a shortage of talented young people or innovative ideas, but the need to build a robust ecosystem capable of transforming innovation into sustainable businesses and long-term employment opportunities.
According to him, the i-DICE Programme provides a strategic platform for enterprise development, skills enhancement, access to finance and partnerships that will enable young Nigerians to compete effectively in the global digital marketplace.
“As the FCT Focal Person, our responsibility is to mobilise stakeholders, strengthen collaboration and ensure that young people in the Territory take full advantage of the opportunities available through this programme,” he said.
Dr. Ugwuada-Ezirigwe further commended the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, for creating an enabling business environment through extensive infrastructural development, which he said continues to stimulate the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the Territory.
Delivering a comprehensive presentation on the programme’s objectives and opportunities for MSMEs, a Programme Associate of Tech4Dev, one of the i-DICE implementation consultants, said the initiative was designed to build a globally competitive pool of Nigerian professionals capable of delivering world-class services to international organisations without relocating abroad.
He noted that Nigeria possesses one of the world’s strongest talent pools, as evidenced by the remarkable achievements of Nigerians across various professional sectors globally.
The Programme Associate explained that the initiative seeks to reverse the trend of talent migration by creating opportunities for young Nigerians to remain in the country while accessing global employment and business opportunities.
“Where our talents no longer have to travel out of the country to work, they can stay in Nigeria and still deliver jobs that meet global standards. That’s the essence of this programme.”
He also highlighted the Hire from Nigeria Initiative, describing it as a strategic component of i-DICE that promotes international recruitment of Nigerian professionals working within the country.
According to him, the initiative has already attracted international attention, including discussions during the recent United Nations General Assembly, as Nigeria positions itself alongside countries such as India and the Philippines as a major hub for global outsourcing and business services.
He commended the Federal Government for providing the policy support and enabling environment necessary for the continued growth of Nigeria’s digital and creative industries.
In their goodwill messages, Mrs. Jumai Kwache, who represented the Director of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Department of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and Rotarian Bibby Kala-Kala, Director-General of the Ugwumba Leadership Center, applauded the Abuja Enterprise Agency for convening the stakeholders’ engagement.
Both organisations pledged to brief their respective leaderships on the programme and facilitate stronger linkages with young people who stand to benefit from the initiative.
The i-DICE Programme is a $618 million national initiative jointly financed by the Federal Government of Nigeria and international development partners. It is anchored by the Office of the Vice President and implemented through the Bank of Industry (BOI) in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and other private-sector partners.
The programme aims to empower 300,000 Nigerian youths between the ages of 15 and 35 who are building careers or businesses within the technology and creative industries by providing digital skills training, creative industry support, business process outsourcing (BPO) opportunities and improved access to venture capital, equity financing and other funding opportunities.
Registration for the programme remains free, and interested applicants are encouraged to register through www.idicestartupbridge.ng.