Festus Keyamo, the Minister for Labour and Employment, has disclosed that the Federal Government has disbursed N100 billion to unemployed youths and small businesses.
Keyamo disclosed that the money was disbursed to Nigerians in the last five years.
He disclosed this at an empowerment programme held in Jos, Plateau State.
Represented by Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, Keyamo said the money was disbursed through the Development Bank of Nigeria.
He assured that the Federal Government was determined to ensure that business succeed.
According to Keyamo: “Let me inform you all that the Federal Government has put all plans in place to ensure that businesses succeed in Nigeria.
“The present administration has launched a series of funding and capacity development initiatives designed to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“Since 2017, the Development Bank of Nigeria has disbursed a total of N100 billion through the bank’s 27 participating financial institutions (PFIs), thereby impacting more than 100,000 MSMEs.
“It is heartwarming to note that 52 percent of loans disbursed in 2019 and 2020 were to youths and women-owned businesses.”