Vice-President Kashim Shettima has assured that the naira will continue stabilising in the coming weeks and months.

Mr Shettima gave the assurance at the inauguration of the National Design and Innovation Competition, which was held on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) organised the event to spur youth entrepreneurship and creative ventures.

In February, the naira was exchanged for as much as N1,900 to a dollar, but the currency gradually appreciated following some monetary policies taken by the government.

The naira is exchanged at N1,396 to a dollar in the official market and N1470 in the parallel market.

The vice-president assured that the government will continue implementing policies and programmes to stabilise the naira.

Mr Shettima also assured President Bola Tinubu’s administration would continue to address food, nutrition and insecurity issues.

He commended the pivotal role of youths in creativity, adding that the government would continue to support their aspirations.

The vice-president announced plans to include young innovators in the government’s $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme.

Earlier, Titi Ogufere, leader of the delegation and founder of IDAN, revealed a plan to train one million youths in furniture production and industrial design.

According to him, IDAN will conduct the training in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy.

“The initiative will feature design competitions and workshops where participants can showcase their prototypes.

“They will work with top Nigerian manufacturers like AFP by Julius Berger, TRT Aredo, Wood Styles, IO Furniture, and Nettetal,’’ he said. 

(NAN)