The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has announced the creation of 90,160 jobs and the empowerment of 116,661 entrepreneurs across Nigeria within the first quarter of 2025.
In its Q1 performance report released Tuesday in Abuja, SMEDAN attributed this success to its targeted empowerment programs and strategic partnerships with private sector players and lawmakers aimed at strengthening the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem.
According to the report, the agency provided thousands of entrepreneurs with critical support such as capacity-building training, access to finance and markets, and the distribution of business-enabling tools. Collaborations with notable partners including Google and Wema Bank were instrumental in equipping beneficiaries with digital and financial literacy skills essential for modern business growth.
The agency also played a key role in the formalisation of numerous small businesses by facilitating their registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), positioning them for better funding opportunities and market access, both locally and internationally.
One of the flagship initiatives highlighted in the report is the Garment and Textile Hub in Idu, Abuja — an industrial centre powered by a UNDP-backed solar energy system. The facility offers fashion entrepreneurs access to state-of-the-art industrial machines and a conducive work environment, significantly enhancing productivity and scaling opportunities.
Additionally, SMEDAN distributed 123,743 work tools, including SUVs, mini buses, laptops, industrial sewing machines, tricycles, and generators across all 36 states to support business startups and expansions.
Director-General Charles Odii emphasised that these milestones reflect the success of the agency’s GROW Nigerian Strategy — focused on delivering Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce support to MSMEs.
“Our focus is on helping small businesses grow and transition into the formal economy, where their contributions can be accurately measured and adequately supported,” Odii stated. “We’re improving production processes, creating jobs, and enabling local enterprises to compete on a global scale.”
He further noted that new strategic alliances formed in Q1 are set to yield more impactful results in the coming quarters, particularly in enhancing access to finance and unlocking value chains.
Reaffirming SMEDAN’s commitment to inclusive national development, Odii linked the agency’s efforts to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes structural reforms and investments that deliver sustainable impact.
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