The Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii, has revealed that the agency has facilitated over N11 billion in financial support for small businesses across the country over the past two years. He also disclosed that more than 100,000 jobs have been created within that period as a direct outcome of SMEDAN’s strategic initiatives and partnerships.
Odii made this known during a recent interview, where he emphasized that these achievements reflect a deliberate push by the agency to enhance access to finance, tools, equipment, and training for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria.
The DG stated that these efforts are in alignment with the Federal Government’s broader agenda of inclusive economic growth and employment generation, especially in the informal sector which constitutes a major part of the Nigerian economy.
According to Odii, SMEDAN’s collaboration with the National Assembly has resulted in the empowerment of thousands of entrepreneurs across the six geopolitical zones through the distribution of production equipment, business tools, and technical training. This has helped to boost productivity in critical sectors including fashion, agriculture, processing, and manufacturing.
The agency has also revived several Industrial Development Centres (IDCs) that had long been abandoned or underutilised. Odii specifically mentioned centres in Abuja, Osun, and Katsina States, which are now fully operational and serving as hubs for local production and enterprise growth. The revitalised centres offer modern machinery, reliable electricity (including solar power) and a platform for business support services.
Odii also highlighted SMEDAN’s strong partnerships with international development organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), GIZ, and Google, which have supported the digital and technical empowerment of Nigerian entrepreneurs.
“These partnerships are opening up new opportunities for Nigerian MSMEs, both in local and global markets. We are also training businesses to leverage digital tools and platforms for efficiency, visibility, and expansion,” Odii said.
In the area of business formalisation, the DG noted that SMEDAN is working with key regulatory bodies to simplify processes and make it easier for entrepreneurs to start and scale legally. These partners include the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Through these collaborations, SMEDAN is supporting small businesses to register officially, meet product standards, navigate tax compliance, and improve competitiveness. “We know that ease of doing business starts with compliance. Once MSMEs are formalised, their access to funding and markets increases,” he explained.
On youth empowerment, Odii said SMEDAN is actively engaging the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other youth-oriented platforms to nurture young entrepreneurs. This includes structured training and access to grants or startup support for viable business ideas.
A prime example of this, according to him, is the Garment and Textile Hub established at the Idu Industrial Development Centre in Abuja. Developed in partnership with the UNDP, the solar-powered hub provides fashion entrepreneurs with affordable access to high-end industrial machines and consistent power supply — two key challenges previously limiting growth in the sector.
Odii described the hub as a “model for inclusive industrial development” and one that has already helped increase productivity, reduce overhead costs, and create jobs, especially for youth and women in the fashion value chain.
The DG reaffirmed SMEDAN’s dedication to its signature GROW Nigeria strategy — an acronym for Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce support. He said the strategy represents a comprehensive approach to developing the MSME ecosystem by offering tailored assistance at each stage of the business lifecycle.
“Small businesses remain the engine of Nigeria’s economic transformation. From job creation to industrialisation and poverty reduction, empowering MSMEs will always be at the heart of our strategy,” Odii concluded.
As SMEDAN continues to implement its initiatives across the country, more Nigerian entrepreneurs — especially those in underserved communities — are expected to benefit from enhanced support, infrastructure access, and policy reforms aimed at driving sustainable, inclusive economic growth.
