Ogun State government has strengthened support for small businesses by providing grants and loans ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦500,000, reaching over 12,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and impacting more than 54,000 women entrepreneurs across the state.
Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed this during the MSME Business Clinic 3.0 held in Abeokuta, where he outlined how targeted funding and structured support systems are helping businesses start, grow and expand. According to him, the intervention is part of a wider strategy to build a more resilient and productive local economy driven by small businesses.
“It is gratifying to note that our administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to MSME development in Ogun State. We have supported over 10,000 MSMEs with grants ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦300,000 while more than 2,000 SMEs have received ₦500,000 each to scale their businesses and unlock new opportunities,” he said.
Beyond direct grants, the government has also sustained financial access through cooperative systems and youth-focused programmes. Abiodun explained that ₦500 million is made available annually as revolving loans to cooperative societies, ensuring that more entrepreneurs can access funding over time. He added that young people are also benefiting from larger funding windows under the Ogun State Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Scheme (OG-YES), with financing ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦10 million.
The administration has placed strong emphasis on women-led businesses, with thousands benefiting from structured empowerment programmes. Abiodun highlighted the impact of the Oko’owo Dapo Women Empowerment Programme, which operates in alignment with the Nigeria for Women Project.
“Beyond this, we have deliberately empowered women, youths, artisans and trade groups through bold social initiatives. Our flagship Oko’owo Dapo Women Empowerment Programme has empowered over 54,000 women and disbursed more than ₦560 million in revolving grants, while over ₦1.8 billion has been saved collectively through Women Affinity Groups,” he said.
In addition to funding, the state is investing in long-term business growth through infrastructure and policy support. The governor revealed that the Small and Medium Enterprises Industrial Land Acquisition Scheme (SILAS) is underway, designed to provide affordable land, incentives and tax rebates for small businesses. The initiative is expected to create a structured industrial environment where MSMEs can operate more efficiently and scale their operations.
To improve competitiveness, the government has also partnered with organisations such as Getfunded Africa Technologies, Microsoft and Google to expose entrepreneurs to digital tools and emerging technologies. According to Abiodun, over 100,000 SMEs and youths have benefited from these initiatives, gaining skills that can improve productivity and market access.
The MSME Business Clinic itself was designed as a practical support platform where business owners could access essential services. Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Adebola Sofela, said the clinic provides direct solutions to real business challenges.
He noted that participants were able to register their businesses, obtain Tax Identification Numbers and connect with agencies that can support their operations. The goal, he explained, is to remove common barriers that limit business growth and formalisation.
Also speaking at the event, tax expert Olawale Abiola highlighted how recent tax policies are structured to support smaller businesses. He explained that enterprises earning below ₦800,000 annually, as well as certain agro-processing firms, are exempt from tax under current provisions.
Abiola advised entrepreneurs to remain compliant by registering properly and filing returns on time, warning that engaging with unregistered entities could lead to penalties of up to ₦5 million.
Beneficiaries at the event described the initiative as practical and impactful, noting that the combination of funding, guidance and access to services is helping them better understand and manage their businesses.
