More than 2,600 entrepreneurs in Ekiti State have received vital business tools and equipment through an empowerment initiative facilitated by a federal lawmaker in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
The empowerment programme, which took place on April 4, provided a range of industrial items including generators, vehicles, and work tools to beneficiaries across sectors such as fashion, beauty, agribusiness, transportation, confectionery, and technical services. The goal is to support business growth and improve livelihoods within the local economy.
SMEDAN said the initiative falls under the Workforce Support component of its GROW Nigerian programme. The intervention is aimed at enhancing productivity, expanding business operations, and generating employment opportunities, particularly at the grassroots level.
According to the agency, the programme also reflects a broader commitment to local economic development and the strengthening of Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem. SMEDAN stressed that strategic collaborations with lawmakers and community leaders are essential for scaling enterprise development nationwide and unlocking new job opportunities for citizens.
The agency highlighted that supporting small and medium-scale enterprises remains a critical pathway to economic recovery, especially in rural and semi-urban communities where unemployment and underemployment are prevalent. It added that by providing the tools needed to start or expand their ventures, beneficiaries are empowered to generate sustainable income, build resilience, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Participants expressed appreciation for the intervention, noting that many of them had struggled to access capital or equipment necessary to grow their businesses. Several of the recipients operate within informal markets, where financial support and infrastructure are often lacking.
SMEDAN reaffirmed its dedication to continuing similar programmes across other states, stating that inclusive empowerment of local entrepreneurs can play a major role in bridging economic inequality, fostering innovation, and stimulating community-based industries.
The agency also urged other legislators and private sector stakeholders to replicate and support such initiatives, describing public-private partnerships as key to driving inclusive and broad-based economic growth across Nigeria.
