Job Creation - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Tue, 2025

FG inaugurates D-8 SME centre to deepen global cooperation, job creation

147 total views today

By Lucy Ogalue

The Federal Government has called for stronger collaboration among developing countries to unlock job creation and ensure global competitiveness through enterprise development.

Mr Charlse Odii, Director-General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), said this at the inauguration of the D-8 Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Odii described the inauguration as a historic milestone that reflected Nigeria’s growing leadership in promoting South-South cooperation through entrepreneurship and innovation.

He said that the decision to site the centre in Nigeria was a strong endorsement of the resilience and creativity that defined the Nigerian business environment.

“The D-8 SME Center is more than a building. It is a bridge between continents, between policies and real impact, between big ideas and the small businesses that bring them to life.

“The initiative aligns with the vision of President Bola Tinubu, whose renewed hope agenda places enterprise, youth empowerment and regional partnerships at the core of Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic priorities,”he said.

According to him, Nigeria’s SME ecosystem is central to job creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.

He said that there was the need for stronger regional integration to tackle common challenges such as access to finance, infrastructure and regulatory barriers.

“No country can do it alone. SMEs in Bangladesh, Egypt, Malaysia, and Nigeria face similar constraints.

“The D-8 SME Center provides a platform to share solutions, open markets and harmonise standards,” he said.

Odii said that SMEDAN’s “Grow Nigerian” strategy was geared toward helping local businesses move beyond survival to becoming competitive players in regional and global value chains.

He said that the agency was focused on digitising SME operations, building industrial linkages, improving business regulations, and enhancing youth participation in the economy.

“This Centre will be a living hub for matchmaking, learning exchanges, policy alignment and co-investment among D-8 countries. It is about turning shared ideas into shared prosperity,” he said.

The Secretary-General of the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation, Ambassador Isiaka Imam, urged member countries to intensify efforts toward empowering SMEs.

Imam said that SMEs formed the backbone of D-8 economies, accounting for the majority of enterprises and contributing significantly to GDP and employment across member states.

Citing country-specific data, he said that SMEs represented 99.8 per cent of businesses in Türkiye, 96 per cent in Nigeria, 98 per cent in Egypt, and over 90 per cent in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Iran.

He said that the D-8 had taken strategic steps to support SME growth, including the establishment of governmental meetings, signing of a cooperation MoU, and hosting of forums among others.8

Imam expressed hope that the new centre would work with national SME agencies to advance research, training, data sharing, and policy harmonisation.

He urged member states to support the centre in addressing challenges such as access to finance, markets and technology.

The inauguration was attended by government officials, representatives of the D-8 Secretariat, diplomatic community, private sector players and development partners.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the representatives of the member states acknowledged the important role SMEs played in the economic development of their various countries.

They, therefore, pledged their collective commitment to the advancement of the D-8 centre to ensure that it realised its purpose.(NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Digital economy key to Nigeria’s economic transformation, says lawmaker

Philip Daniel Yatai
Apr, Fri, 2025

Economy/Business

Digital economy key to Nigeria’s economic transformation, says lawmaker

246 total views today

By Philip Yatai

Rep. Gaza Gbefwi, Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, says digital economy holds the key to Nigeria’s economic transformation, job creation, and national security.

Gbefwi, representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, stated this in Abuja on Friday, at a seminar with the theme, “Powering Nigeria’s Digital Economy through Advanced Information Management Paradigms”.

The seminar was organised by the Association of Applied Information Management Professionals (AAIMP).

Represented by one of his aides, Mr Emmanuel Kadiya, the lawmaker described digital transformation as the “bridge between today’s challenges and tomorrow’s prosperity”.

Gbefwi, who was the Chairman of the occasion, emphasised the urgent need for the youths to embrace digital innovation as a pathway to national development.

According to him, for Nigeria to thrive in the global digital economy, our young people must take lead by mastering information management and leveraging technology to create opportunities locally and internationally.

“Our youths must leverage technology to save Nigeria.

“We must move from building Nigerian products to creating global solutions. With a smartphone, you can establish a business worth N250 million.

“Technology is already fixing revenue leakages and transforming infrastructure.”

In a keynote address, Dr Peter Olumuji, Secretary, Command and Control Centre, Federal Capital Territory Administration, noted the global shift from traditional economies to digital systems.

Olumuji pointed out that Nigeria had developed a National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

He also urged the youths to drive its transformation.

According to him, Nigeria must strengthen its broadband infrastructure across urban and rural areas to maximise the benefits of digital economy.

Similarly, retired Major-Gen. Chris Olukolade, Chairman, Centre for Crisis Communication, re-echoed Olumuji’s concerns on the need to strengthen broadband infrastructure.

Olukolade highlighted the strategic importance of real-time structured information in national security and emergency response.

According to him, reliable and coordinated information is not just useful; it is lifesaving.

“The digital economy we seek depends heavily on how effectively we manage and leverage evolving information infrastructure.”

He commended AAIMP for promoting cross-sectoral dialogue and reaffirmed his Centre’s support for efforts that strengthen intelligent information management nationwide.

Also, Vice Chancellor of Bingham University, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, described the seminar as timely and transformative.

Ayuba emphasised the role of education in driving digital innovation.

“To harness digital opportunities, we must reimagine strategies that encompass emerging technologies like cloud computing, blockchain, and big data analytics.

“Bingham University is committed to supporting national digital development through research, collaboration, and innovation.

“Our interdisciplinary departments are pushing the frontiers of data science and information systems,” he said.

Earlier, the AIMP President, Dr Omotola Afuye, emphasised the association’s mission in building a knowledge-driven future for Nigeria.

Afuye said that the digital economy thrives on structured data, timely information, and innovative systems that enhance productivity and decision-making.

“We are not just building an association; we are building a legacy of excellence in information management,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

FG reaffirms commitment to leather industry growth

Philip Daniel Yatai
Mar, Thu, 2025

Economy/Business

FG reaffirms commitment to leather industry growth

297 total views today

By Lucy Ogalue

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s leather industry to boost job creation, economic diversification, and industrial development.

The Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, stated this on Thursday, during a meeting with the Steering Committee on Strategic Implementation Plan of the Leather and Leather Products Policy in Abuja.

He stressed the importance of fully implementing the Leather Policy, highlighting its vast potential for economic transformation.

Enoh urged the committee to document challenges hindering implementation and identify areas where government intervention could accelerate progress.

The minister called for an alternative to ‘ponmo’ (processed cowhide), advocating its use in leather production rather than as food.

He argued that diverting hides and skins into industrial use could significantly contribute to economic growth.

“The leather industry is crucial to our national economy. We must develop it sustainably while ensuring Nigerians have viable consumption alternatives,” Enoh said.

He assured the committee of the Ministry’s full support, calling for stronger collaboration to enhance Nigeria’s position in the global leather market.

Dr Auwal Imam, Chairman of the National Steering Committee, commended the Minister’s proactive approach and highlighted achievements in implementing the Leather Policy.

Imam is also the Director-General, Nigeria Institute of Leather, Science and Technology.

“These include skill acquisition programmes, research advancements, and the establishment of 22 extension centres to support industry players,” he said.

Imam called for greater government involvement in fully implementing the Leather Policy and integrating the sector into national MSME survival programmes.

He urged the provision of single-digit interest loans for leather entrepreneurs, stronger campaigns for Made-in-Nigeria leather products, and a $1 billion Leather Industry Venture Fund to boost investment.

“With proper government backing, Nigeria’s leather sector can compete globally, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the economy,” he added. (NAN)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

How Wike’s bus terminal projects create 3,000 jobs for Abuja residents

Philip Daniel Yatai
Feb, Sun, 2025

Metro

How Wike’s bus terminal projects create 3,000 jobs for Abuja residents

910 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The ongoing construction of three bus and taxi terminals by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, has created more than 3,000 jobs for the residents of Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wike in July 2024, inaugurated the construction of three bus and taxi terminals, one each in Mabushi, Central Area and Kugbo.

The move, according to the minister, is to ensure a secure and convenient travel experience for commuters in the FCT and create job opportunities for the residents.

Mr Rasheed Sholadoye, the Project Manager, Planet Projects, the company executing the projects, told NAN that the 3,000 workers comprised both skilled, unskilled artisans and security.

Sholadoye said that part of the conditions in the contract required the company to employ residents in the execution of the project as part of FCT Administration’s strategy for job creation.

“FCT residents have enjoyed enormously from this project. We have employed a whole lot of them.

“You know it’s a construction site and certain workers will be needed at certain stages of the construction.

“It’s difficult to give you an exact number but more than 3,000 residents have been engaged and more will be employed as the work progresses,” he said.

Kugbo Bus and Taxi Terminal, Abuja, at 85 per cent completion

He said that while the construction of the bus terminals in Mabushi and Kugbo commenced in July 2024, that of Central Area commenced two months later.

He explained that the delay followed the relocation of some underground facilities at the project site located close to eagle square.

The project manager expresses optimism that despite the delay, the projects were still on track and would be delivered as scheduled.

He disclosed that Mabushi bus terminal has reached 92 per cent completion stage, the Kugbo terminal at 85 per cent completion while that of Central Area at about 50 per cent.

“Hopefully with our schedule and programme of work, by the grace of God, the terminals in Mabushi and Kubo will be ready for inauguration by the end of February.

“On the other hand, the one in Central Area will be ready in May.

“The projects are all encompassing with commercial activities in all the terminals, including cinema halls, where people can relax while waiting for their bus.

“We are bringing state of the art facilities, especially the one in Central Area. It will be a terminal that the people of Abuja will love to see and enjoy,” he said.

29-year-old welder, Mr Happiness Johnson, working at Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal, Abuja

Some of the workers at the sites, who lauded the initiative, lauded Wike for putting food on their table.

One of them, a 29-year-old welder, Mr Happiness Johnson, who lives in Kubwa, said the project has provided him with a stable job.

Johnson, who thanked Wike for mandating the contractor to employ residents, said that the steady means of income significantly improved his standard of living.

On her part, a 31-year-old mother of four, Mrs Abigail Daniel, a cleaner at the Mabushi terminal, expressed optimism for a brighter future as a worker in the facility.

Daniel said she was working as a house help but lost the job when her employer travelled out of the country.

“Life was difficult for me and my children until I got this job. I am grateful to the FCT minister for making this happen for me,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali