Nigeria to commence disbursement of presidential grants, loans to businesses

The Federal Government of Nigeria says it is ready to commence the much-awaited Presidential Conditional Grant and the Presidential Palliative Loan to businesses across the country as part of efforts to ease the current economic hardship being faced by the citizens.

In a statement signed by the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment,
Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, efforts are currently ongoing to collaborate with state and local governments, federal legislators, federal ministers, banks, and other stakeholders to make the two interventions a success.

The statement reads: “In the Presidential Conditional Grant Programme, the Federal Government will disburse a grant sum of N50,000.00 to nano businesses across the 774 local government areas in the country.

“The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, will collaborate with State and Local Governments, Federal Legislators, Federal Ministers, Banks and other Stakeholders.

“The eligible nano business beneficiaries should be willing to provide proof of residential/business address in their local government area, and provide relevant personal and bank account information, including Bank Verification Number, BVN, for verification of identity.”

For the Presidential Palliative Loan Programme, it said: “The Federal Government will likewise disburse N75 billion to Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, MSMEs, across various sectors and N75 billion specifically to Manufacturers.

“The loan shall be administered to the beneficiaries at a single-digit interest rate of 9 percent per annum.

“While MSMEs can access loan facilities up to N1 million with a repayment period of three years, manufacturers can access up to N1 billion to access financing for working capital with a repayment period of 1 year for working capital or five years for the purchase of machinery and equipment.

“MSMEs and manufacturers can apply for the loans by submitting their application on the portal provided for the programme.

“The facility would be accessed through their banks, and applicants would be required to meet the risk assessment criteria of their respective banks.

“As part of its commitment to promote economic development, entrepreneurship and financial empowerment, the Federal Government believes these initiatives will encourage entrepreneurship and job creation,” the statement said.