The Federal Government has launched a new consumer credit scheme aimed at helping Nigerians buy laptops, internet-enabled devices and other digital tools at affordable rates as part of efforts to expand digital access and strengthen the country’s digital economy.
The initiative, known as the Credit for Laptops, Internet, Connectivity and Knowledge Digital Devices (CLICKED) program, was officially unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani.
The scheme is expected to improve access to technology, especially for young Nigerians, students, digital professionals and others who need digital devices for learning, work and business but are unable to afford them because of high costs.
Speaking at the launch, Tijani described the program as an important step towards deepening digital inclusion and ensuring that more Nigerians have the tools needed to participate in the growing digital economy.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting the initiative and also commended the leadership of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), the agency implementing the program, for driving what he described as a transformative project.
According to the minister, access to affordable credit remains one of the major factors needed to unlock economic growth, encourage entrepreneurship and promote digital transformation across Nigeria.
He said providing affordable financing for productive assets such as laptops and internet-enabled devices would help individuals improve their livelihoods while contributing to national development.
“Access to affordable credit empowers individuals and businesses to acquire productive assets, improve their livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Tijani said.
He added that initiatives like CLICKED show the Federal Government’s commitment to using technology and innovative financing to close the digital gap between Nigerians who have access to technology and those who do not.
The minister linked the program to President Tinubu’s broader economic vision of building a one trillion-dollar economy.
According to him, expanding access to digital tools is essential if Nigeria hopes to achieve that ambitious target.
“When President Bola Tinubu said he wants to create a one trillion-dollar economy, there is no other way to create that economy than what we are launching today,” Tijani said.
He stressed that technology has become one of the strongest drivers of economic growth globally and that Nigeria must invest in digital infrastructure and digital skills to remain competitive.
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), Mr Uzoma Nwagba, announced that the first phase of the program would provide 1,000 locally assembled laptops to qualified beneficiaries across the country.
He disclosed that the rollout had already begun in Abuja, where 77 beneficiaries received laptops during the official launch, while the remaining devices would be distributed in phases to eligible fellows in other states.
According to Nwagba, choosing locally assembled laptops is a deliberate policy aimed at encouraging local manufacturing, supporting Nigerian technology companies and creating jobs within the country’s growing technology sector.
He said the decision would not only make digital devices more accessible but also stimulate local production and reduce dependence on imported products.
“This intervention will not only bridge the digital divide, but also empower thousands of young Nigerians to access training opportunities, remote work prospects, and technology-driven economic activities,” he said.
Nwagba explained that the CLICKED initiative is being implemented by CREDICORP in partnership with the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program.
The 3MTT program was introduced by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to train three million Nigerians in digital and technology skills over the next few years.
The program is one of the flagship projects under the Tinubu administration’s digital economy agenda and is designed to prepare Nigerian youths for opportunities in software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data analysis, cloud computing and other technology-related fields.
Many participants in the program require laptops and reliable internet access to complete their training, making access to affordable devices a major challenge.
Government officials believe the CLICKED scheme will remove that barrier by allowing qualified participants to obtain laptops through affordable consumer credit instead of paying the full cost upfront.
The Federal Government has increasingly promoted consumer credit as a way of helping Nigerians acquire essential goods while improving financial inclusion.
CREDICORP, which was established by the Federal Government, is responsible for expanding access to consumer credit for working Nigerians and supporting responsible borrowing.
The corporation has in recent months introduced several initiatives designed to improve access to financing for productive assets rather than consumption alone.
Officials believe that increasing access to consumer credit can stimulate economic activities by enabling more Nigerians to invest in education, technology, transportation and small businesses.
Technology experts have repeatedly identified the high cost of laptops, smartphones and internet access as major obstacles preventing many Nigerians from participating fully in the digital economy.
With inflation and the depreciation of the naira pushing up the prices of imported electronic devices, many students, freelancers, software developers and young entrepreneurs have struggled to purchase the equipment needed for work and learning.
Although government officials did not disclose the detailed repayment structure during Tuesday’s launch, beneficiaries are expected to receive the devices through credit arrangements coordinated by CREDICORP.
The program is also expected to support Nigeria’s growing remote work industry, where many young professionals provide digital services to companies both within and outside the country.
Over the past few years, thousands of Nigerians have earned income through software engineering, graphic design, content creation, digital marketing, virtual assistance and other online jobs.
However, inadequate access to laptops and reliable digital devices has remained a significant barrier for many aspiring professionals.
A major highlight of Tuesday’s launch was the symbolic presentation of laptops by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to selected beneficiaries, marking the official commencement of the program.