BY FESTUS OKOROMADU
Vice President, Kashim Shettima on Friday inaugurated the National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises headed by himself with a call on its members to utilize technology and their expertise to enhance the sector’s growth.
While inaugurating the Council at the State House, Abuja, Shettima highlighted the critical role of MSMEs and younger Nigerians in driving job creation and economic stimulation.
He used the occasion to assure the public of President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to improving job security so as to ensure economic prosperity.
“This council has a pivotal role to play in rekindling hope in the Nigerian project as President Tinubu is irrevocably committed to addressing the job security situation, especially within the MSMEs and the younger population,” stated.
The Vice President urged members to leverage on technology to streamline processes and enhance service delivery.
The Council’s mandate includes formulating policies to drive MSME development, fostering public-private partnerships, and promoting inter-agency collaboration.
Members of the newly inaugurated Council include the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (Vice Chairman); two governors from each of the six geo-political zones; Ministers of Agriculture, Innovation, Science and Technology, and Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs; a representative of the Private Sector; while the Director General of SMEDAN will serve as the secretary.
The National Council on MSMEs is a high-level body established to provide strategic direction and oversight for the development of the MSME sector in Nigeria.
