Akwa Ibom State Government has announced new measures to enhance funding, training, and overall support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the state.

The Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Capt. Iniobong Ekong (Rtd.), made this known while briefing newsmen on Wednesday, stating that the initiative is part of Governor Umo Eno’s broader plan to reposition the state as a hub for trade, investment, and industrialisation.

According to the Commissioner, the Ministry will focus on driving local content, strengthening support systems for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and promoting Akwa Ibom as a competitive investment destination. “We will scale up access to finance, training, and market opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises across all local government areas,” he said.

He further explained that the Ministry will roll out empowerment programmes targeted at improving access to finance, business training, and market linkages for entrepreneurs in all 31 local government areas. Ekong stressed that the government is committed to ensuring small businesses are adequately equipped to thrive in both local and global markets.

Highlighting the Ministry’s strategic focus, the Commissioner noted that plans are underway to create industrial clusters and agro-processing hubs, particularly in rural communities. He said this initiative aligns with Governor Umo Eno’s vision of rural development and economic inclusion.

Other priorities outlined include the review of regulatory frameworks to reduce the cost and complexity of doing business, as well as the launch of an investment roadmap designed to spotlight sectors such as agriculture, ICT, aviation, manufacturing, maritime, tourism, and power. Ekong added that the state will step up trade facilitation efforts to boost non-oil exports and create new investment opportunities.

The Commissioner also disclosed that investment desks will be established in the state’s liaison offices in Abuja and Lagos. He mentioned that the Ministry will compile a comprehensive Investment and Trade Compendium while also strengthening collaboration with ministries, regulatory agencies, development partners, the private sector, and the diaspora community.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, pledged the union’s support. He assured the Commissioner that journalists will collaborate closely with the government, promising proactive public enlightenment and responsible reporting of investment-driven initiatives.

September18, 2025 – Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) has reported major progress in driving inclusive economic transformation through Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises between 2023 and 2025. The Director-General of KASEDA, Aisha Aminu Malunfashi, disclosed that 23,912 beneficiaries have directly received support through its programmes, with over 200,000 new jobs projected across the state.

She made this known on September 14, 2025, while presenting a paper titled “Driving Inclusive Economic Transformation through MSMEs” during the high-level consultation on security and governance convened by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda. Malunfashi explained that KASEDA’s interventions have been central to strengthening entrepreneurship, empowering women and youth, and expanding financial inclusion in Katsina State.

According to her, Katsina currently hosts more than 1.7 million MSMEs organized into 823 clusters across agriculture, trade, crafts, services, and the fast-growing digital and creative industries. She said these enterprises provide livelihoods for millions and serve as entry points for women and youth into the economy.

Highlighting the flagship Integrated MSME Development Program, she said it is designed to reach 500,000 enterprises across all 34 LGAs, focusing on women, youth, startups, and entrepreneurs in conflict-affected communities. She noted that the programme prioritizes financial inclusion, digital innovation, agro-processing value chains, and advisory services delivered through the DIKKO Business Development Services Corps.

Malunfashi revealed that KASEDA has facilitated over ₦5 billion in MSME financing, trained thousands of entrepreneurs in business and digital skills, and conducted an MSME census covering 600,000 businesses while mapping 50,000 clusters for investment planning. She emphasized human capital development through entrepreneurship academies such as the Dikko Social Innovation Academy and the KASEDA Digital Academy, which jointly train more than 500 participants annually.

She further stated that the annual Katsina MSME Awards and Fair disbursed ₦10 million in grants to 200 vendors in 2025, creating visibility and opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Reaffirming the agency’s commitment, she listed ongoing initiatives, including a ₦3.4 billion MSME Revolving Fund managed with the Bank of Industry and Sterling Bank, which has supported more than 3,000 entrepreneurs across the 34 LGAs.

Malunfashi also highlighted the ₦542 million UNDP Livelihood Support Programme, which trained 2,000 beneficiaries, provided grants to 1,700 nano and micro businesses, supported 300 SMEs with revolving loans, and gave start-up capital to 1,000 young entrepreneurs. Another key intervention is the Shared Industrial Development Centre, upgraded with SMEDAN at a cost of ₦1 billion. The facility now supports textiles, ICT, packaging, and agribusiness sectors, with about 50 entrepreneurs using it daily.

She recalled that over 10,000 MSMEs benefitted from World Bank KT-CARES grants, with 234 enterprises receiving IT toolkits. In addition, the Mechatronics Apprentices Support Program is training 3,000 youths in automobile technology, offering stipends and starter packs.

Malunfashi stressed that women and youth remain central to KASEDA’s agenda. She pointed to the Katsina Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund, which offers final-year tertiary students seed grants and interest-free loans ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦500,000. Between 1,500 and 2,000 students are expected to benefit each year, enabling them to start businesses after graduation.

She added that the DIRWYFI Initiative targets 8,000 rural women and youth annually with training and resources to help lift families out of poverty. Traditional industries are also being modernized. In Kayauki and Rafin Dadi, kilishi producers are receiving technical support, while hula producers in Daura, Mani, and Mashi LGAs are being assisted to improve standards and income.

The DG explained that Cassava and Gari Processing Centres in Wagini and Batsari are empowering farmers by increasing processing capacity and linking them to agribusiness value chains. She said these centres contribute to job creation and food security. She added that the Food Bank Loan Project is providing thousands of households with regular food loan support, strengthening nutrition, supporting community resilience, and creating opportunities for nano food vendors and small-scale businesses in the food sector.

She disclosed that more than 500 women and youth have participated in Entrepreneur Mindset Reset Workshops on innovation and sustainability. The Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund also continues to support final-year students with take-off capital.

Summarizing KASEDA’s impact between 2023 and 2025, Malunfashi said the agency has directly supported 23,912 beneficiaries through financing, training, digital empowerment, and value chain development programmes. These interventions, she emphasized, are projected to create more than 200,000 jobs and position Katsina as one of Nigeria’s leading hubs for entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth.

She concluded by stressing that these achievements were made possible under Governor Radda’s vision of a prosperous Katsina powered by entrepreneurship, with strong support from NGOs, cooperatives, private sector actors, donor agencies, and international partners. She assured that KASEDA will continue to deepen MSME growth, ensure women and youth inclusion, and advance this vision across the state.

Executive Chairman of Katsina Local Government, Isah Miqdad, has announced the launch of a new empowerment programme aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in the area.

Speaking at the event, he said the initiative began with Arewa A Ward where 140 entrepreneurs received ₦50,000 each, totaling ₦7 million, as capital support. Beneficiaries were also presented with official SMEDAN certificates, granting them national recognition as business operators.

“This initiative is designed to uplift genuine small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, strengthen livelihoods, and build a stronger local economy,” Miqdad stated. He encouraged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity by combining the financial support with their own effort and resources to expand their businesses and contribute to the prosperity of Katsina Local Government.

“In shaa’ Allah, this empowerment programme will not stop here. It will continue ward by ward until every ward in Katsina Local Government feels the impact of our people-centered leadership. Our focus remains on transparency, fairness, and delivering initiatives that restore hope and dignity to our citizens,” he added.

Oyo State has taken a major step toward improving social inclusion and poverty reduction as the Acting Governor, Barrister Adebayo Lawal, launched the Sustainable Social Protection Programme in Nigeria (SUSI). The programme was launched at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office and is aimed at strengthening human capital development and promoting sustainable development across the state and beyond.

Speaking at the launch, Barrister Lawal said social protection has been made a key part of the state’s development agenda, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the state rolled out robust interventions that cushioned the impact of the crisis, including expanding healthcare coverage and registering over 24,000 households under the State Operation Coordinating Unit (SOCU). He added that “measures have been put in place to fight poverty and support livelihoods,” citing the distribution of food packages to more than 200,000 vulnerable households, loans worth ₦500 million to small businesses, and ₦1 billion grants to boost food security. He also highlighted the introduction of 46 subsidized buses to cut transportation costs for residents.

The Acting Governor stressed the importance of a comprehensive legal framework to sustain these efforts and deepen social inclusion in Oyo State. He explained that the government, with support from partners such as the European Union, UNICEF, and the International Labour Organization, plans to institutionalize these social protection policies and improve coordination among ministries and agencies.

In her remark, UNICEF Chief, Lagos Office, Celine Lafoucriere, said, “Social protection is a lifeline rather than a luxury.” She praised the Oyo State Government for taking remarkable steps to protect vulnerable groups, stating that the Social Protection Policies offer hope and a pathway to care for children and other at-risk populations.

The event concluded with a field trip to Oke-suna, Odo-Oba, in Ibadan South East Local Government Area, where members of the UNICEF team, the media, and government officials interacted with vulnerable households already captured in the state’s social protection register.