By Umar Akilu Majeri Dutse
The Bank of Industry (BOI) has announced a N75 billion loan facility aimed at empowering local businesses and public liability companies across Jigawa State.
The Managing Director of BOI’s Jigawa branch, Alh. Manir Muhammed made the announcement during a one-day sensitization workshop held at Hasina Conference Hall in Dutse.
According to Muhammed, the loan is part of the National Association of Small Scale Industries (NASSI) and the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMP) Fund, which are aimed at enhancing the capacity of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.
“The N75 billion loan program is directly under the office of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and seeks to assist micro and small-scale businesses throughout the country,” Muhammed explained.
He clarified that the loan is not a grant, and will only be available to interested groups or individuals who meet the required criteria and apply through the designated channels.
Muhammed stressed that the primary goal of the program is to ensure that as many local businesses as possible benefit.
“This initiative is for the people of Jigawa, and we want to make sure everyone who meets the requirements has the opportunity to apply,” he said.
He also urged business owners and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunity by registering their businesses and applying through the BOI’s dedicated portal.
One of the key issues raised during the workshop was the lack of awareness about such federal government initiatives.
The BOI manager noted that many people in Jigawa State were unaware of available support programs, which led to the decision to organize the sensitization event.
“The bank has worked hard to ensure that all the necessary information is in place to educate the public, especially those who are eager to apply for the loan,” he added.
The BOI has emphasized that there is no specific target for the number of businesses to benefit from the loan, as the program is open to all interested parties who meet the necessary criteria.
“We don’t have a set target; we want as many people, especially indigenous residents of the state, to apply,” Muhammed said.