Eminent Emerging Entrepreneurs Foundation has trained more than two hundred Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises owners in branding, marketing and job creation as part of efforts to strengthen inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.
The organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, Eberechi Marcus, announced this during the ninth annual EEEF Summit in Abuja, explaining that the training was designed to equip business owners with the practical skills needed to improve productivity and scale sustainably.
He noted that participants were also taught how to keep accurate financial records, covering income, expenses, assets, debtors and creditors, so they can identify weak areas in their operations, boost profitability and comply with tax regulations.
According to him, the creation of decent jobs and widening economic inclusion can only happen when entrepreneurs build businesses that productively engage more young people across the country. He stressed that entrepreneurship remains one of the strongest tools for tackling unemployment and reducing poverty, particularly within Nigeria’s expanding youth population.
Marcus revealed that the foundation has trained more than five thousand MSME owners through various capacity-building programs held before and after previous summits.
The ninth edition focused on promoting decent jobs as a fundamental right for every Nigerian worker. He added that the foundation plans to partner with technical institutions and the World Bank to broaden the reach of MSME empowerment initiatives nationwide.
He encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of institutional support and government policies that can help them grow, create sustainable jobs and strengthen their business structures. He also noted that the large turnout at the summit reflected the rising interest among MSME operators in capacity development and business expansion.
During the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Helenn Interior Company, Helen Adigwe, highlighted the need to protect policies guiding the MSME sector in order to reduce workplace discrimination and uphold dignity for all employees.
Represented by Celestine Ugwu, she stressed that business owners should prioritise dignified wages because fair pay supports family stability and contributes to economic resilience. She urged entrepreneurs to build inclusive workplaces where people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are able to thrive.
The Human Resource Manager of ANK Construction Company, Lillian Okere, encouraged young entrepreneurs to remain passionate, consistent and innovative as they pursue business growth.
She explained that commitment and continuous self-improvement are essential for staying competitive, and advised participants to adopt Artificial Intelligence tools and other digital solutions to enhance productivity and increase global visibility.
PepsiCo’s Area Key Account Manager for the Northern Region, Oluwaseun Ogungbe, said entrepreneurship should extend beyond profitmaking to contribute to economic development and social inclusion.
He urged the government to create specialised banks that support youth-driven business ideas, noting that many young Nigerians have strong business concepts but lack the capital needed to turn them into viable enterprises. He added that entrepreneurship training should be integrated into tertiary institutions to better prepare students for self-employment before graduation.
