Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on financial institutions, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders to expand support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), stressing their importance for economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.
Speaking on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, during the presentation of the 2025–2026 MSME Report at a Nigerian MSME stakeholders’ meeting, Shettima emphasised harnessing technology and innovation to strengthen the sector, particularly for young Nigerians in the digital economy.
“We have our jobs cut out for us. SMEDAN is doing an awesome job, so also is ITF. Every stakeholder here, from NAFDAC, to CAC, NITDA, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, and NIPC, is putting in their best, and we are mightily proud of all of you,” the Vice President said.
He urged stakeholders to explore Nigeria’s potential in digital services, agriculture, and other growth sectors that can drive MSME development, citing India’s $130 billion revenue from business process outsourcing in 2025 as an example.
Shettima assured participants that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would continue to prioritise policies and programmes that enable small businesses to thrive.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the meeting as an opportunity to review MSME achievements, noting over 250,000 jobs created, with more expected.
The Special Adviser to the President on MSMEs and Job Creation, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, presented the report, outlining how the Renewed Hope Agenda repositioned MSMEs as a key pillar of economic transformation.
He highlighted expanded access to affordable finance, shared infrastructure, market linkages, and recognition frameworks to promote excellence.
Adekunle-Johnson disclosed that more than 11 shared hubs have been deployed nationwide, contributing to over 250,000 jobs.
For 2026, priorities include deeper coordination with partner agencies and state governments, de-risking of funds, expansion of the National MSME Awards, sustainable job creation, capacity development, and improved financing access.
Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii, commended the President and Vice President for providing a clear blueprint for MSME growth.
He said shared facilities increased productivity and employment, extending business activity into late hours.
Managing Directors of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) highlighted how their agencies supported thousands of MSMEs in the past year.
Representatives from Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and Wema Bank reaffirmed commitment to strengthen financing and technical support for small businesses.
