The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) says it facilitated the creation of over 90,160 jobs and supported 116,661 entrepreneurs nationwide in the first quarter of 2025.
Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Odii, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, citing figures from the agency’s Q1 performance report.
He attributed the gains to targeted empowerment initiatives and strategic partnerships with stakeholders across both public and private sectors.
“SMEDAN collaborated with organisations including Google, Wema Bank, and members of the National Assembly to deliver training in digital and financial literacy. These partnerships also improved access to finance, markets, and essential tools,” Odii said.
The agency also facilitated the formalisation of thousands of micro and small enterprises through assistance with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration—enhancing their eligibility for funding and inclusion in supply chains.
“In Q1 alone, we distributed 123,743 work tools such as laptops, mini-buses, industrial sewing machines, generators, and tricycles to beneficiaries across all 36 states,” he said.
Odii highlighted the success of the solar-powered SMEDAN Garment and Textile Hub at the Idu Industrial Development Centre in Abuja. Developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the hub provides affordable access to industrial machines and stable power for fashion entrepreneurs.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to its “GROW Nigerian” strategy—centred on Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce support for SMEs.
“The result is more jobs, stronger businesses, and greater value within communities nationwide,” he said.
Odii added that several strategic partnerships forged in Q1 are expected to begin yielding results in subsequent quarters, particularly in financing and value chain development.
He reaffirmed SMEDAN’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and its ongoing role in driving inclusive economic growth through support for MSMEs.
