The federal government has launched the free registration of 250,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative. The programme was officially flagged off with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
Speaking at the ceremony, the Registrar-General and CEO of CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, announced that the 250,000 free business-name registrations would be carried out in collaboration with SMEDAN. He stated that the CAC will waive all statutory fees to ensure that eligible business owners register without any financial burden.
“The CAC is committed to a seamless registration process that enables beneficiaries to receive their certificates without delay,” Magaji said. He added that SMEDAN will take charge of mobilising, preparing, and profiling eligible businesses while also providing them with unique identification numbers.
To ensure accountability, Magaji explained that both organisations will work together to promote awareness, monitor the progress of the initiative, and share data responsibly for effective tracking and measurable impact.
On his part, the Director-General and CEO of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, described the project as a landmark achievement under President Tinubu’s administration.
“This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to empowering small businesses that play a vital role in Nigeria’s GDP growth,” Odii said. He further highlighted other MSME empowerment schemes already executed under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The highlight of the event was the official signing of the MOU by both agencies to guarantee smooth implementation of the project.
Interested business owners can begin the process by registering with SMEDAN through the official portal at portal.smedan.gov.ng.