The National Orientation Agency (NOA) recently highlighted eleven key federal government initiatives and corresponding websites on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
These initiatives are designed to address the socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria.
The agency stated, “The federal government is implementing transformative policies while ensuring several relief measures, primarily targeting the youth, who constitute about 76% of Nigeria’s population. Nigerians are urged to take advantage of the ongoing government programs.”
A fact-check by Dataphyte confirms that the list of initiatives posted by the NOA is accurate, and the provided website links are genuine.
The eleven initiatives include:
1. Student Loan Scheme
2. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative
3. Consumer Credit Corporation
4. Digital and Creative Enterprises Program (IDiCE)
5. Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA)
6. Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA)
7. National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP)
8. Nano-Business Support
9. Micro and Small Business Loans
10. Housing Initiatives
11. NDDC Internship Scheme
These programs span various sectors of the economy, including education, clean energy, business development, and youth empowerment.
They offer loan facilities for students and small businesses, promote clean energy through Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered vehicles, and aim to boost investment in Nigeria’s technology and creative sectors.
The CNG Initiative seeks to encourage the use of cleaner energy in transportation by promoting CNG-powered vehicles.
The Nano-Business Support and Micro and Small Business Loans are part of the Presidential Grant and Loan program, designed to provide credit to business enterprises.
The Digital and Creative Enterprises Program, executed by the Bank of Industry, aims to stimulate investment in Nigeria’s technology and creative ecosystems.
Meanwhile, the Housing Initiatives, led by the Federal Housing Authority, focus on real estate and housing development, with both commercial and revenue-generating aspects.
Like most government initiatives, the public’s response to these programs has been mixed, raising serious questions about their effectiveness.
Many undergraduates, particularly those enrolled in the Student Loan Scheme, have voiced worries over default risks and the possibility of getting trapped in a debt trap. Available reports argue that if fundamental problems like corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and bad governance are not addressed, these programs might not achieve their objectives.