Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Friday, emphasised the unwavering commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to enhance job security within the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the younger population.

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the President on media and communications, Office of the Vice-President, in a statement, said Mr Shettima stated this while inaugurating the national council on MSMEs.

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.

The council is chaired by the vice-president and comprises key stakeholders from government, industry, and the private sector.

The vice-president enjoined members of the council to utilise technology and their expertise to enhance the sector’s growth.

Mr Shettima highlighted the critical role of MSMEs and younger Nigerians in driving job creation and economic stimulation.

“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.”

While recognising the potential of technology, the vice president also urged members to leverage its power to streamline processes and enhance service delivery.

The council’s mandate includes formulating policies to drive MSMEs development, fostering public-private partnerships, and promoting inter-agency collaboration.

Members of the newly inaugurated council includes the vice president (Chairman); minister of industry, trade and investment (Vice Chairman) and two governors from each of the six geo-political zones.

Others are the ministers of agriculture, innovation, science and technology, and communication and digital economy and senior special assistant to the President on job creation and MSMEs, representative of the private sector; and the director-general of SMEDAN (Secretary).

The inauguration ceremony was attended by ministers, director-generals of relevant agencies, and representatives of MSMEs and industry associations. 

(NAN)