Technology and Creative Sector Financing Agreement reference: 2000200005160
Project ID No.: P-NG-K00-009
Background
The Federal Government of Nigeria has received financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) towards the implementation of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this finance to payments under the contract for the Invitation to host Digital and Creative hubs in Nigerian Universities.
These digital and creative centers for skills training and startup enterprise support in both the tech and creative sectors are a critical part of the first component of the iDICE programme: Skills and Enterprise Development. The aim of this component is to provide young people (15-35 years old) with learning and upskilling opportunities and support the incubation of startups.
Job Summary/Description
The primary objective of this invitation for submissions is for universities to submit proposals expressing interest to host digital and creative hubs to be tagged as Centers of Excellence and would be operated in collaboration with private sector technical partners. These centers will serve as both training facilities and innovation/creative hubs to upskill students and young persons within the community, and support beneficiaries with the relevant skills to turn their ideas into sustainable startups or access the job market. The invitation shall involve the following activities:
- Selection Criteria: the iDICE programme in partnership with relevant stakeholders (particularly the National Universities Commission) developed the selection criteria for beneficiary institutions.
- Application Process: An application process is open for 6 weeks where all universities in Nigeria are eligible to send in expressions of interest to benefit from the iDICE programme’s interventions in this area.
- Stakeholder Session: Within 2 weeks of the opening of the application process, a stakeholder’s session will be held. It would be a platform for Nigerian universities to ask questions about the iDICE intervention and the application process.
- Selection of Beneficiary Institutions: The applicant universities would be evaluated based on the selection criteria, and qualifying universities would be contacted for physical assessment visits. Selection will be based strictly on the criteria spelt out in the terms of reference.
- Assessment: A physical assessment will be conducted in the selected universities to ascertain the accuracy of details submitted during the applications, after which
the process of intervention will commence in the qualified universities.
Minimum Qualification, Skills and Experience
The ideal university should meet the following qualifications and experience requirements:
- Must be a multi-disciplinary university in Nigeria approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and with full accreditation of the relevant programmes.
- Proven knowledge of relevant policies, and legal/regulatory frameworks.
- Experienced operational staff and robust middle and back offices.
- Possessing existing relationships and networks with relevant local and international industry players is a plus.
Legal & Compliance Requirements
The following requirements are applicable to universities that are submitting expressions of interest.
Public universities MUST provide the following documents:
- The enabling ACT of the National or State assembly establishing the university.
- Evidence of NUC’s recognition of the university.
- Evidence of NUC’s accreditation of the relevant programmes.
- Affidavit indicating that all documents submitted are genuine and verifiable.
Private universities MUST provide the following documents:
- Evidence of legal registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
- Submission of Memorandum and Articles form CAC07 (i.e. Particulars of Board of Directors) and Form CAC02 (i.e. Particulars of Shareholders).
- Evidence of NUC’s license/recognition of the university.
- Evidence of NUC’s accreditation of the relevant programmes.
- Affidavit indicating that all documents submitted are genuine and verifiable.
Financial Requirements
Confirmation of financial capacity of the company (3 years audited statement of accounts and financial summary).
The Bank of Industry (BOI) now invites eligible public and private universities to indicate interest in hosting digital and creative hubs as part of the iDICE Programme and showing responsiveness to the selection criteria as outlined in this REOI and Terms of Reference which can be accessed at www.boi.ng/idicetor.
Eligibility criteria and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s “Procurement Policy Framework for Bank Group Funded Operations” October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, i.e. from 8 AM to 5 PM on working days.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form and soft copy (in a flash drive) to the address below by 23rd August 2024 at 12PM and mention “Response to the Invitation to Host Digital and Creative hubs in Nigerian Universities under the iDICE Programme.”
Attn.
iDICE Programme Coordination Unit
Bank of industry,
23 Marina, Lagos
E-mail: idice-proposals@boi.ng
