Charles Odii, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has emphasized the agency’s commitment to strengthening small businesses across the country during a recent engagement in Zamfara State.
Speaking during a 3-day working visit to the state alongside Governor Dauda Lawal, Odii confirmed that SMEDAN signed a ₦1 billion counterpart funding agreement aimed at boosting financial access for small and medium enterprises. He explained that the initiative will expand the pool of finance available to SMEs, improve affordable financing opportunities, and give young entrepreneurs the support they need to grow.
“The core of our mission at SMEDAN is to support SMEs across Nigeria, and this was further reinforced during our recent visit to Zamfara State,” Odii stated.
As part of the visit, SMEDAN inaugurated the Zamfara State MSME Council, which is chaired by Governor Lawal. The council is expected to drive policy alignment and keep the voices of entrepreneurs central to decision-making. The SABER program was also flagged off to provide practical support for businesses.
Odii added that a personal highlight of the visit was meeting local manufacturers and listening to their stories directly. He commended Governor Lawal for his vision and collaboration, noting that such partnerships are vital in building a stronger SME ecosystem across Nigeria.
