The Federal Government through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment says it is targeting 100,000 jobs through Small and Medium Enterprises during the forthcoming EnjoyNigeria Expo.

A statement by the Director, Investment Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, Mrs Kemi Arodudu said the expo targets creative, entertainment, cultural industries, travel and trade as key priority sectors of the economy between 2021 and 2023.

Arodudu said “the expo which will assist Small and Medium Enterprises to be positioned for increased job and wealth creation as well as gain access to global markets will generate 100,000 new jobs” .

She said the Project further envisions making available a national data base for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in rural areas while connecting such to big in-country markets in Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world.

“This is in addition to empowering women and youths with entrepreneurial skills to facilitate innovations as well as connect them to the bigger markets to grow and sustain their businesses whilst showcasing and promoting their products and services” she said.

The Director also noted that an inter ministerial steering committee has been set up, drawing membership from relevant MDAs and active non governmental bodies and associations operating in the sectors adding that so far, several sessions of the inter-ministerial steering team, have been held to draw and firm up arrangements for the EnjoyNIGERIAexpo.

Mrs. Arodudu while explaining that the project is anchored on five major strands, woven around critical creative visual and performing arts contents including music, film, photography, painting, fashion, craft, stage drama and comedy are conceptualized as distinct stand alone brands, namely, Sounds of Nigeria, Images of Nigeria, Tastes of Nigeria, Colours of Nigeria and Experience of Nigeria also said
major components of the initiative include an exhibition, trade and investment forum and a string of entertainment events and awards.

The private sector facilitator of the project, Isa Yusuf Sago, noted with delight said the event seeks to deepen the contributions of the creative entertainment, cultural and travel trade industries to the diversification of the Nigerian economy.

The five day expo is scheduled for Mid November 2021.