As part of its efforts to create jobs and promote Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Federal Government has set plans in action to gather N200 million from philanthropic organizations.
The monies, according to Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Senior Special Assistant to the President on MSMEs and Job Creation, Office of the Vice President, will be invested in essential programs and initiatives across various priority sectors.
To promote the plan, the presidency has also formed the Nigeria Philanthropic Organisation (N.P.O), a private sector-led coordination body to be based in the vice president’s office.
Adekunle-Johnson stated that the organization will collaborate with donors, impact investors, and financial institutions to support the establishment of twelve mega hubs across the country and catalyze support for existing and new entrepreneurs in renewable energy, agro-processing, furniture, and fashion, among other sectors of the economy.
“The funds raised will be invested in key programmes and projects that will create opportunities for employment across different target sectors and facilitate growth in the MSMEs sector,” he added.
According to him, Vice President Kashim Shettima has nominated Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke to lead the Nigeria Philanthropic Organisation, with the Secretary of State for MSMEs and Job Creation coordinating its secretariat.
“She is the current Chairperson of SME.NG. She is a member of Nigeria’s National Advisory Board on Impact Investing (NABII) and the Chairperson of the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC) in South Africa,” the statement read.
