The Oyo State Government, in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and Precious Stones Multi Ventures, has launched an initiative to train nano business owners. This training is part of the “Oyo Scale Up 80 Project” and aims to empower 80 artisans and small-scale entrepreneurs annually.
During the event, held at the Precious Stones Multi Ventures training hall in Dugbe, Ibadan, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Dr. Olubunmi Babalola, highlighted the importance of this collaboration. Represented by the Deputy Director of Industry, Mr. Jide Williams, Babalola praised the initiative, emphasizing the vital role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in driving economic development.
“As a nation, we recognize the indispensable role that MSMEs play as the backbone of our economy and the key drivers of economic development. This underscores the need to nurture small-scale enterprises towards achieving self-reliance and sustainability,” Babalola stated.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to leverage the training to further educate others in their communities.
Mrs. Iyabo Ojogbede, the State Manager of SMEDAN, explained that the program is designed to enhance the capacity of nano businesses, enabling them to expand and create more jobs. She reaffirmed SMEDAN’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in Oyo State to boost job creation, wealth generation, and poverty alleviation.
Participants of the program, including Mr. Olalekan Abdulliah and Mrs. Yetunde Uthman, expressed their gratitude to the government and partnering agencies. They described the training as an invaluable opportunity to grow their businesses and urged fellow beneficiaries to utilize the knowledge gained to empower others.
This initiative marks a significant step towards fostering sustainable economic growth and self-reliance among small business owners in Oyo State.
