The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has secured funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) for the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme. This initiative aims to stimulate entrepreneurship, foster innovation, generate employment, promote social progress, and drive economic transformation by nurturing the digital technology and creative ecosystem within Nigeria. It builds upon existing investments and seeks synergies with ongoing national initiatives.

A crucial aspect of the iDICE Programme involves the iDICE Programme Coordination Unit (PCU), operating under the Bank of Industry (BOI), which serves as the Executing Agency appointed by the FGN. The PCU is seeking consultant Aggregators for Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs) to manage Digital and Creative Hubs in Nigerian Universities and Polytechnics across four regions: the South South, North West, South East, and North East.

These hubs are integral to the iDICE program's Skills and Enterprise Development component, designed to provide young Nigerians (aged 15-35) with opportunities for learning, upskilling, and startup incubation support. The primary goal of the consultancy is to establish a mechanism for aggregating, matching, and monitoring ESOs, which will act as technical partners to these “Centers of Excellence” within the universities and polytechnics. The selected aggregators will oversee the delivery of creative and digital skills training and incubation services.

The Aggregators will be responsible for assigning specific centers in at least one state within their respective regions for targeted purposes. These include a Virtual Reality Learning Centre for senior secondary school students, a Gaming Hub in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), and a Creative Hub in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE).

Consultants will report to the iDICE Programme Coordination Unit and will be responsible for developing criteria and protocols for the application, verification, and selection of ESOs. This process will be informed by gap assessments, reports, studies, and other relevant program documents. They will also coordinate the application and selection process for ESOs, match them with pre-selected universities, and manage the onboarding process to ensure standardized project delivery.

Furthermore, the consultants will monitor the ESOs' administration of the program within the universities and polytechnics and prepare comprehensive reports detailing methodologies, findings, analyses, benchmark comparisons, and recommendations. These reports must be well-organized, data-driven, and presented clearly.

The Bank of Industry (BOI) has invited eligible consultants/firms to submit their expressions of interest, demonstrating their experience in similar assignments. Selection will be based on responsiveness to the outlined qualification requirements. Shortlisted entities will be invited to participate in a subsequent tender process.

Key qualifications and experience requirements include a minimum of 5 years of experience in administering innovation hubs, enterprise support projects, and tech/creative SME support labs or centers. Consultants should also possess at least 5 years of experience in education, technology, curriculum development, and training within the tech/creative sector. Prior experience in coordinating ESOs and innovation hubs, strong relationships with relevant networks, and experience in providing analytical reports are also essential.

Experience working with the public sector, multilateral organizations, and development finance institutions is preferred. Consultants must demonstrate a clear understanding of the Nigerian technology and creative ecosystem, possess experienced operational staff, and have established relationships with local and international industry players. A strong geographic understanding of the states within the respective regions (South South, North West, South East, and North East) and a presence in at least three states within that region are also required.

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) should include organizational profiles, details of strengths, expertise, approach, methodology, and experience in similar assignments. The selection process will adhere to the African Development Bank’s “Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations.” Hard and soft copies of EOIs must be delivered by May 30th, 2025, to the iDICE Programme Coordination Unit at the Bank of Industry in Lagos, with specific mention of the program and region of interest.