The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has created over 90,000 jobs for unemployed youths and empowered more than 116,000 entrepreneurs in the first quarter of 2025. This achievement comes from targeted empowerment programs and strategic partnerships that strengthen Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector.
Strategic Empowerment and Partnerships
In a recent statement, Mr. Charles Odii, the Director-General of SMEDAN, shared details from the agency’s Q1 performance report. He credited the job creation to targeted initiatives and collaborations with key partners, including Google, Wema Bank, and members of the National Assembly. These partnerships helped train entrepreneurs in digital and financial literacy while improving their access to finance, markets, and essential business tools.
SMEDAN also helped thousands of small businesses register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), enhancing their chances of securing funding and participating in supply chains.
Providing Tools for Growth
SMEDAN’s commitment to supporting MSMEs includes distributing essential work tools. In Q1, the agency provided 123,743 tools across the country, including laptops, mini-buses, industrial sewing machines, generators, and tricycles to entrepreneurs in all 36 states.
Odii highlighted the success of the SMEDAN Garment and Textile Hub at the Idu Industrial Development Centre in Abuja. He described it as a model for inclusive industrial development. The solar-powered hub allows fashion entrepreneurs to access affordable industrial machines and stable power, which boosts productivity and job creation.
The Director-General reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the “GROW Nigerian” strategy, focusing on Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce support for SMEs. He stated that these efforts align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, emphasizing SMEDAN’s role in driving inclusive economic growth through support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
