Federal Government approves the establishment of N75 billion Nigerian Youth Investment Fund
THE Federal Government on Wednesday approved the sum of N75 billion for the establishment of a Nigerian Youth Investment Fund in a move that underscores confidence in the innovative skills, talents and industry of the Nigerian youth.
The Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) is for innovative ideas, skills and talents of Nigerian Youth and to provide a special window for accessing funds, finances, business management skills and other inputs critical for sustainable enterprise.
Briefing State House correspondents after a virtual meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, explained that the special fund will be for youths within the age bracket of 18 and 35. According to him, “For the first time in the history of Nigeria, the Federal Executive Council today approved the establishment of the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) to the tune of N75 billion. ”
This fund is meant to create a special window for accessing credit facilities and financing on the part of our youths that will help to fund their ideas, innovations, and also support their enterprise. “The best way to call it is that for the first time the country will have a youth bank. A fund that will cater specifically for our youth within the stipulated age band, which is going to be between 18 and 35 years. “The second approval that secured was for the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to play a lead role in working on necessary steps that need to be taken in terms of legislation, organisation and other aspects of financing.”
He said that the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning will take the lead when it comes to the aspect of the financing, working with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and other relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies, MDAs.
He said, “A couple of other details will be released later, but I think the most important thing is that the N75 billion Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, to cater specifically for this target group, a population of over 68 million, got the attention and support of the Federal Executive Council today and this fund will be assessed by our youths, once they are able to present their ideas, they can assess this fund directly.”
The Federal Executive Council has by the approval directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria to source for the required funds to kick start the NYIF.
The first of its kind by any Nigerian government, NYIF is to serve as a sort of Youth Bank that will fund and support the innovative ideas, skills, talents and enterprise of the Nigerian Youth; a loan and credit pathway dedicated to assessing credit and soft loans.
