From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Federal Government has awarded N250,000 grants to outstanding small business owners in Ondo State, as part of its commitment to empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the nation.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced this at the seventh Expanded National MSME Clinics, launched in Akure, where he emphasised that creating an enabling environment for MSMEs was central to President Bola Tinubu’s economic strategy.
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Speaking to attendees, Shettima said: “Every outstanding exhibiting MSME identified during this clinic will receive an unconditional grant of N250,000. This is not a loan. It is a gift from the Nigerian people, through their government, to the champions of local industry. It is our way of saying we see you, we value you, and we believe in your journey.”
He highlighted the critical role MSMEs play in the Nigerian economy, noting that they account for over 90 percent of businesses, contribute more than 45 percent to the national economy, and employ over 60 million people. “They are not only economic actors, but also the silent architects of survival, the lifelines of households and the pulse of every community,” Shettima stated.
The Vice President outlined several other federal initiatives, including the N75 billion MSME Intervention Fund, the N50 billion Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme for one million nano businesses, and the N75 billion Manufacturers’ Fund.
“This administration is deliberate in walking the talk, and one of the ways we do it so is through platforms such as the MSME Clinics, conceived to draw the Federal Government closer to the creators of jobs, the innovators, the dreamers who make things happen in our communities,” Shettima said.
Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa affirmed the state government’s commitment to MSME development and described the impact of local initiatives. “Your presence here today demonstrates your unwavering commitment to the development of our state and key sectors of our nation’s economy. Your interest in promoting MSMEs across Nigeria has changed the fortunes and stories of small businesses across our country, and we remain grateful,” he said.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, also in attendance, praised the Federal Government for prioritising direct engagement with small business operators. “This is the first attempt by any government in Nigeria to align growth to development through a deliberate and direct interface between facilitators and small business operators,” he remarked.
Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSME, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, underscored the Clinics’ positive impact with Ondo State’s edition facilitating direct interactions between MSMEs, regulatory agencies and business support organisations.
Traditional leaders also lent their voices, with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, urging stakeholders to support locally made products. The Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Charles Odii, noted that the Clinics were helping to realise the Tinubu administration’s agenda for small businesses.
While addressing Ondo traditional rulers’ council, Vice President Shettima conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation for their support and stressed the administration’s efforts to address the people’s concerns, including subsidy removal and new infrastructure projects.
Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III of Akure, chairman of the Ondo State Council of Chiefs, commended the Federal Government for redirecting subsidy funds to benefit states like Ondo, and pledged continued support for the government policies.
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