Ekiti State, Nigeria – Over 2,600 entrepreneurs in Ekiti State have received vital business equipment and tools through a strategic empowerment program led by Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), under the leadership of its Director-General, Charles Odii.
The initiative, held on April 4, 2025, provided industrial machinery, transportation vehicles, generators, and other essential tools to micro and small business owners operating in key sectors including agribusiness, fashion, beauty, confectionery, transportation, and technical services.
Charles Odii, SMEDAN’s DG, described the program as a testament to the agency’s commitment to job creation and business expansion across Nigeria. He noted that the intervention supports the Workforce Support pillar of the GROW Nigerian initiative—an ambitious plan focused on strengthening productivity, stimulating MSME growth, and unlocking new employment opportunities at the community level.
Odii emphasized that this collaborative effort highlights the power of strategic partnerships with lawmakers and local stakeholders in scaling sustainable enterprise development. He encouraged more leaders to emulate Senator Bamidele’s proactive approach in facilitating economic inclusion.
The empowerment scheme is part of SMEDAN’s broader mandate to build a vibrant MSME ecosystem in Nigeria. Odii reiterated the agency’s dedication to ensuring small businesses have access to the resources, training, and support they need to thrive in today’s competitive market.
