By Kolawole Ojebisi
Nigeria’s army of job seekers may soon get engaged and find a sustainable means of livelihood following a 174.59m Programme for Country Partnership agreement signed by the Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
The PCP agreement is meant to boost Nigeria’s industrial development.
This is contained in a statement by Mrs Julie Osagie-Jacobs, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the agreement, which will run for four years from 2024 to 2028, seeks to enhance the country’s industrial capacity, drivekm technological innovation and promote sustainable industrial practices.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, who signed on behalf of the Federal Government, described the partnership as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen industrial growth, create jobs and drive economic transformation.
In the statement, Bagudu said, “Through this initiative, we aim to enhance Nigeria’s industrial capacity, drive technological innovation, and promote environmentally sustainable industrial practices.”
Bagudu added that the programme would provide economic opportunities, particularly for young people and marginalised groups.
The minister disclosed that the funding strategy for the PCP involves 85.7 per cent, or $149.62m, from donor partners mobilised by UNIDO, while the Federal Government will provide 14.3 per cent, or $24.97m, as counterpart funding.
He noted that Nigeria had already made a financial commitment of $1.28m as payment to UNIDO.
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh expressed hope that UNIDO would serve as a technical and strategic partner in the implementation of the programme, particularly in driving the Industrial Revolution Work Group.
He urged stakeholders to move from potential to productivity and from policy to prosperity as the PCP is implemented.
The Director-General of UNIDO, Gerd Müller, said the PCP aligns with UNIDO’s mandate to promote industrial development among member states, with a focus on Sustainable Development Goal 9.
He noted that Nigeria has the potential to become an economic powerhouse in Africa.
