In moves that sign-post the power of technology, small and medium-scale enterprises and the agricultural sector in job creation, while enhancing their contribution to economic growth and development, the Bank of Industry and the Central Bank of Nigeria as earmarked seed funds for the rebirth of the critical sectors.
According to a Tuesday statement by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Office of the Vice President, BoI has approved a $20m technology fund for young innovators, while the CBN is offering a N90bn soft loan facility for small scale agriculture enterprises.
These, the statement continued, were some of the outcomes of a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to review progress on the Buhari administration’s efforts to support the nation’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Recall that the National MSMEs clinic driven by the Vice President has now reached 26 States, with more to come in the series.
The statement also assured that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is now poised more than ever to register more Nigerians venturing into the food and drug businesses.