The Nigerian government is gearing up to introduce the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (I-DICE) Programme, slated for launch on May 15, with the ambitious target of generating two million jobs.
Vice President Kashim Shettima unveiled this initiative during the second Chronicle Roundtable event in Abuja, themed “Tinubu Administration’s Economic and Social Agenda: How It will Transform Nigeria”. Shettima, serving as the guest speaker, emphasized the administration’s commitment to reducing the unemployment rate and enhancing job accessibility through programs like the Outsource to Nigeria initiative and IDICE.
He expressed optimism about imminent positive changes across various economic indicators, including inflation, per capita income, GDP growth, poverty reduction, and food security. Shettima underscored the necessity of patience and collective sacrifice from all Nigerians to overcome the current economic challenges.
Regarding the removal of petroleum product subsidies, Shettima described it as a crucial step taken by the Tinubu administration upon assuming office, addressing a significant economic hurdle. He outlined the administration’s focus on various sectors, including oil and gas, creative arts, steel and solid minerals, housing, blue economy, and digital sectors, aiming for substantial economic impact.
Shettima elaborated on the economic rationale behind subsidy removal, citing the alarming debt service-to-revenue ratio inherited from the previous administration, which posed a severe economic risk. He emphasized the need for prudent economic management to avert a potential debt crisis and highlighted the administration’s resolve to tackle economic sabotage and currency manipulation.
The event also featured discussions on President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, focusing on job creation, economic growth, food security, poverty eradication, access to capital, rule of law, anti-corruption efforts, and inclusive development. Former Finance Minister Dr. Shamsudeen Usman urged alignment of the Renewed Hope Agenda with long-term development plans, emphasizing the need for accountability and performance-based governance.
Usman called for President Tinubu to lead by example in enforcing ministerial accountability, emphasizing the importance of delivering results or facing consequences. He stressed the need to transcend ethnic and religious considerations in assessing performance, advocating for transparent evaluation criteria accessible to the Nigerian public.
