The Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) has taken a significant leap in empowering its members in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector by forging a strategic partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
Led by NASFAT President Alhaji Ayodeji Abdulwahid AbdulRauf, a high-level delegation, including National Project Secretary Dr. Nasir Raji and FCT Zonal Women Affairs Secretary Hajia Haleemat Kadiri, visited SMEDAN’s head office in Abuja. The purpose of the visit was to establish a collaboration that would provide NASFAT members with access to critical resources and facilities needed for enterprise development.
SMEDAN proposed a comprehensive partnership framework, focusing on key initiatives such as the Enterprise Development Promotion (EDP) program and the SMEDAN Select program. These initiatives will offer NASFAT members training in various skills, including tailoring, cosmetology, furniture making, and household product manufacturing, to enhance their business capabilities.
In addition to skill acquisition, the partnership will enable NASFAT members to tap into the National Business Investment Opportunities. This includes leveraging resources from NEXIM Bank and NASAMA for exportation and trade, further expanding their business horizons.
SMEDAN’s ‘My Shift’ program is also set to play a crucial role in inspiring younger NASFAT members to adopt innovative approaches in their entrepreneurial pursuits. The program is designed to reshape the entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging a new generation of business leaders within the community.
Moreover, the collaboration will feature specialized initiatives such as Talent Hunt, aimed at identifying and rewarding exceptional business ideas from youth, and GROSS, which focuses on empowering members with disabilities who have entrepreneurial ambitions.
Financial empowerment is another key benefit of this partnership. NASFAT members will have access to loans with single-digit interest rates, along with support in branding and packaging their products to meet international trade standards. Additionally, agricultural programs and capacity-building efforts will be provided to address post-harvest losses and promote food security.
These opportunities will be accessible through SMEDAN’s facilities across Nigeria, including locations in the FCT, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Edo, Kano, and Katsina.
NASFAT President Alhaji Abdulwahid Abdul-Rauf urged members to take full advantage of this partnership, emphasizing the transformative potential it holds. SMEDAN’s management has pledged to offer full access to their facilities, ensuring that NASFAT members can maximize these resources and actively participate in global trade.
