Mr. Charles Odii, the Director General CEO of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has committed to promoting entrepreneurship on campuses across the country. During discussions with a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by President Mr. Lucky and Senate President, Mr. Charles Odii emphasized the importance of instilling an entrepreneurial culture among students to create millions of jobs.
Odii conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eagerness to generate employment opportunities, particularly for the nation’s youth. He stressed the need for students to embrace entrepreneurship and reduce reliance on traditional employment avenues.
The DG urged NANS to provide reliable data on students, including their locations and a significant representation of female students. This data will serve as the basis for a collaborative intervention program between NANS and SMEDAN, ensuring that entrepreneurship education translates into tangible enterprises run by youth.
Odii also informed the delegation about a mentorship and internship program for students facilitated by SMEDAN and other partners. The President of NANS expressed gratitude for the agency’s achievements and pledged to collaborate in collecting data and developing strategies for supporting over 41 million students in Nigeria.
