Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is a needed pillar for national development.
He made the declaration in Abuja on Thursday, at the opening of a job creation and MSME quarterly communications forum, organised by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs.
The Minister, who was represented by the Director General, of Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Ndace, also buttressed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to enhancing businesses in Nigeria to boost the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).
He said: “Already, the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies responsible for job creation and the development of MSMEs have started rolling out various initiatives to attain Mr President’s objective for the sector.
“The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment recently announced that it will be unveiling a groundbreaking innovation aimed at revolutionising the job market and fostering greater employment opportunities for Nigerians through the establishment of the National Job Centre.
“The Centre will serve as a centralised platform designed to match available vacancies in industries and businesses across the country with the vast talent pool of job seekers. Through state-of-the-art technology and innovative matchmaking algorithms, the Job Centre will connect employers with qualified candidates, thereby streamlining the recruitment process and maximising efficiency.
“Additionally, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) will be implementing the Skill-UP Artisans Programme (SUPA) to empower about 10 million artisans within two years, with tech-enabled skills training, licencing, and access to essential toolkits to enable them to be ready for jobs that will be mined through the National Job Centre.”
The minister further disclosed that President Tinubu is poised to unlock the business potential of the country.
“The President is spearheading systemic reforms, eliminating wastage, and unlocking vast opportunities across the various sectors of the economy to boost our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generate employment for our teeming youth.
The MSMEs in Nigeria have been our beacon of hope, as they have remained steadfast and resilient, unarguably demonstrating the ability to weather the storm in the face of enormous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic ramifications.
There is also the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), which was set up to remove bureaucratic constraints to doing business in Nigeria and make the country a progressively easier place to start and grow a business,” he added.
The Information Minister, who highlighted his task of enlightening the public on the initiatives and programmes of the government, used the opportunity to encourage the media to project the good image of the country as well as defend democracy.
“To my dear media colleagues, we all have a very crucial role to play in sharing insights and raising awareness about the issues surrounding job creation and MSME development in Nigeria.
“We have a vital role to play in informing and educating the public about the challenges and opportunities facing our economy, as well as the innovative solutions being implemented to address them. Therefore, our role as watchdogs of society and government remains very critical to the success of our democracy.
“I will also encourage the media to utilise their platforms to highlight success stories, best practices, and creative approaches to job creation and MSME development under the Tinubu Administration. By showcasing the achievements and contributions of individuals and organisations, you can inspire others and catalyse positive change within society,” the minister appealed.
