The Federal Government has launched a new consumer credit scheme aimed at providing affordable access to laptops and other digital devices for participants in its Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.
The initiative, known as Credit for Laptops, Internet, Connectivity and Knowledge Digital Devices (C.L.I.C.K.D.), was unveiled in Abuja by the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Under the pilot phase, 1,000 locally assembled laptops will be made available to eligible 3MTT fellows through the Learn2Earn platform, with 77 beneficiaries receiving devices during the launch ceremony.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the programme was designed to bridge the gap between digital skills acquisition and access to the tools needed to participate effectively in Nigeria’s digital economy.
“Nigeria’s digital economy can only thrive when our people have both the skills and the tools to succeed. Through C.L.I.C.K.D., we are helping qualifying Nigerians participate more fully in the opportunities created by the 3MTT initiative while strengthening local manufacturing through the use of locally assembled devices,” Tijani said.
According to CREDICORP, Fidelity Bank will serve as the credit administration partner, while the laptops will be assembled locally by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and Imose Technologies.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CREDICORP, Uzoma Nwagba, described the scheme as a strategic intervention to eliminate the financial barriers preventing many young Nigerians from accessing essential digital tools.
“C.L.I.C.K.D. transforms digital devices from a barrier into an opportunity. By embedding affordable consumer credit into a national talent programme like 3MTT, starting with locally assembled laptops, we are giving qualifying Nigerians a responsible pathway to the tools they need to learn, work and earn,” he said.
Nwagba added that the initiative would also support the Federal Government’s industrialisation agenda by boosting local manufacturing and creating jobs across the technology value chain.
CREDICORP said the programme is its flagship device-financing initiative and would eventually be expanded beyond the 3MTT programme to cover other categories of internet-enabled devices and digital tools for Nigerians.
The corporation further disclosed plans to partner with additional financial institutions, device manufacturers, technology vendors, the Central Bank of Nigeria, training institutions and other stakeholders to scale access to affordable digital devices nationwide.
The launch forms part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to deepen digital inclusion, equip young Nigerians with relevant technology tools and accelerate the growth of the country’s digital economy.
