In a significant boost to Nigeria's small business landscape, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has announced that over 90,160 jobs were created in the first quarter of 2025, thanks to its focused empowerment programmes and growing network of partnerships.
According to its Q1 2025 performance report, SMEDAN also provided direct support to 116,661 entrepreneurs across the country. Beneficiaries received business training, access to finance and markets, and work tools essential for starting or expanding their ventures.
Collaborating with private sector giants like Google and Wema Bank, alongside members of the National Assembly, SMEDAN rolled out digital and financial literacy training to thousands of small business owners—preparing them for the demands of the modern economy.
A key milestone highlighted in the report is the formalisation of thousands of MSMEs, now registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). This strategic move enables more small businesses to qualify for funding, tap into supply chains, and grow beyond informal operations.
In Abuja, the agency's Garment and Textile Hub at the Industrial Development Centre in Idu has become a model for inclusive industrial development. With solar-powered energy (in partnership with UNDP), affordable workspace, and access to industrial machines, local fashion entrepreneurs are now scaling production, creating jobs, and increasing market competitiveness.
To further drive enterprise growth, 123,743 work tools were distributed in Q1—ranging from industrial sewing machines, laptops, tricycles, and power generators to utility vehicles and mini buses—across all 36 states of Nigeria.
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Speaking on the report, Charles Odii, Director-General and CEO of SMEDAN, said:
"This report reflects the impact of our GROW Nigerian strategy—delivering Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce support to small businesses nationwide. We are mobilising resources to help MSMEs grow, formalise, and compete both locally and globally."
He added that new partnerships signed in Q1 will start delivering results by Q2, enhancing SME access to finance and positioning them for export markets:
"From product quality to competitive pricing, we're equipping entrepreneurs to succeed beyond borders."
Odii reiterated that SMEDAN's work aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu:
"With the right structure and support, Nigerian SMEs will drive long-term, inclusive economic growth."
As SMEDAN looks ahead, the agency plans to expand sector-specific hubs, deepen outreach, and strengthen collaboration to unlock new opportunities for Nigeria's vast entrepreneurial ecosystem.
