Boosting Nigeria's Tiny Titans: SMEDAN Eyes National Spotlight for Groundbreaking Business Accelerator

Nigeria's vibrant world of small businesses stands on the brink of a major upgrade, as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) signals its bold commitment to supercharge a promising initiative from the Small-Scale Enterprise Lab (SSE Lab). At the heart of this push is the Manufacturing Business Accelerator (MBA) program, a fast-paced bootcamp that's already turning everyday dreamers into market-ready innovators.

The spotlight fell on the MBA's second cohort during a lively graduation and showcase event, buzzing with the theme of "Innovation, Inclusion and Impact: Redefining MSMEs in Nigeria’s Economy." Standing in for SMEDAN's Director General and CEO, Mr. Charles Odii, was Dr. Olubunmi Kole-Dawodu, the agency's Lagos State manager. She delivered a rousing message that captured Odii's vision for scaling up the accelerator's reach.

Odii made it clear: SMEDAN wants to catapult the MBA from a local gem into a nationwide powerhouse. "Our interest is to take this further than what it is now and expand it and make it a grand national event," he said through his representative. "This is very dear to SMEDAN as a federal government agency in Nigeria." With over 40 million small and medium enterprises fueling the nation's economy, Odii pointed out the stark reality that only about 100 participants have tapped into programs like this so far. "That's like a drop in the ocean," he noted. "We need more ideas and numbers because it's our collective efforts, not just SMEDAN's, that will develop our ecosystem. The more we come together and put all hands on deck, the more we're going to achieve for SMEs in Nigeria."

The MBA itself is no ordinary training ground. As Ms. Desola Jimmy-Eboma, founder and convener of SSE Lab, explained in her welcoming address, the 90-day intensive immerses budding entrepreneurs in a whirlwind of discovery, validation, and hands-on execution. "In just 90 days, our participants journey through a process of discovery, validation, and execution, emerging with products ready for market and businesses ready to thrive," she shared. What starts as a spark of an idea or a modest side hustle often blossoms into something scalable and sustainable, complete with the mentorship and tools to navigate real-world challenges.

This graduation wasn't just about handing out certificates; it doubled as a dynamic business showcase, where fresh graduates paraded their creations to potential investors and partners. It's a testament to how targeted support can ignite real change in a sector that's the backbone of Nigeria's job market and innovation pipeline.

As SMEDAN gears up to weave the MBA into its broader national strategy, the message is unmistakable: collaboration is key to unlocking the full potential of the country's entrepreneurial spirit. For the thousands of small-scale trailblazers watching from the sidelines, this could be the open door they've been waiting for.