Vice President Kashim Shettima Friday inaugurated the National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), charging its members to utilize technology and their expertise to enhance the sector’s growth.
Shettima in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, emphasised President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to improving job security.
He highlighted the critical role of MSMEs and younger Nigerians in driving job creation and economic stimulation.
Shettima noted: “This Council has a pivotal role to play in rekindling hope in the Nigerian project,” stated VP Shettima.
“President Tinubu is irrevocably committed to addressing the job security situation, especially within the MSMEs and the younger population.”
Recognising the potential of technology, Shettima urged members to leverage its power to streamline processes and enhance service delivery.
“Ease of doing business should be our watchword,” he emphasized. “Technology must be embraced and applied across the board.”
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 Vice President (Chairman); 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; and the Director General of SMEDAN (Secretary).