The Ekiti State Government has disbursed over N20 million in business support grants to small business owners, farmers, and artisans across Ado and Irepodun/Ifelodun local government areas, in a move aimed at easing economic pressure and strengthening grassroots enterprise.
The empowerment initiative, tagged Business Support Grants, benefited no fewer than 200 micro, small, and medium-sized business operators drawn from the 24 wards of Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I. Each beneficiary received N100,000 to support existing businesses, improve working capital, and sustain livelihoods amid rising costs.
Speaking after the disbursement in Ado-Ekiti, the intervention was described as part of the state’s broader efforts to stimulate local economic activity and support MSMEs, which remain the backbone of Ekiti’s economy. Beneficiaries were selected across farming, trading, and artisanal sectors, reflecting the diverse nature of economic activity within the constituency.
The program was designed to complement existing capital rather than replace it, with the goal of helping small businesses scale operations, improve productivity, and, in some cases, create additional jobs. By spreading the grants across all wards, organizers said the initiative was structured to ensure fairness, inclusion, and community-wide impact.
Beyond immediate financial relief, the grants are expected to contribute to improved food production, stronger informal trade, and increased self-reliance at the community level. Farmers are expected to invest in inputs and equipment, while traders and artisans can channel the funds into inventory, tools, and operational needs.
The Ekiti State Government has continued to emphasize targeted support for MSMEs as a key strategy for reducing unemployment and driving inclusive economic growth. Officials say sustained investment in grassroots entrepreneurs remains critical to strengthening local economies and cushioning the effects of wider macroeconomic challenges.
Beneficiaries at the event expressed optimism that the grants would help stabilize their businesses and improve income, particularly at a time when access to formal credit remains limited for many small operators.
The government reiterated its commitment to rolling out similar interventions periodically, noting that empowering small businesses, farmers, and artisans is central to building a resilient and productive state economy.
