The Traffic

SMEDAN Secures N11bn for SME Support, Creates Over 100,000 Jobs in Two Years

By Achimi muktar 

In just two years, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has quietly pulled off what many would consider an economic miracle: securing over N11 billion in funding for small businesses and facilitating more than 100,000 jobs across the country — all under the radar.

At the helm of this transformation is Charles Odii, the dynamic Director-General of SMEDAN, who credits these strides to a focused commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. In an exclusive chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Odii revealed how deliberate interventions have shifted the SME landscape, breathing new life into local industries and turning small ideas into scalable ventures.

“In just two years under President Tinubu, we have made real, measurable progress at SMEDAN,” Odii declared.
“We’ve mobilised over N11 billion to make financing more affordable for small businesses and helped create more than 100,000 new jobs across the country.”

One of SMEDAN’s most impactful moves has been the revitalisation of Industrial Development Centres (IDCs) in strategic states like Abuja, Osun, and Katsina. These centres — once defunct — now buzz with activity as entrepreneurs gain access to modern machinery, stable electricity, and enterprise support services.

“This is part of our broader mission to boost local production,” Odii explained.
“We are not just funding businesses; we’re equipping them with the tools to thrive.”

SMEDAN hasn’t done it alone. The agency has formed high-impact partnerships with the National Assembly and global development players including UNDP, GIZ, and Google, targeting digital empowerment, training, and market access for Nigerian entrepreneurs.

From fashion designers at the solar-powered Garment and Textile Hub in Idu, Abuja, to youth corps members with startup dreams, SMEDAN’s footprint is growing — and so is its influence.

“We’re working with NYSC and other institutions to help young Nigerians turn ideas into thriving enterprises,” Odii said.
“That’s what the Renewed Hope Agenda looks like in action — real support, real results.”

Formalisation — often a bottleneck for micro-enterprises — is another area where SMEDAN is driving reform. Collaborations with agencies like CAC, NAFDAC, SON, and FIRS are helping streamline registration, compliance, and certification for businesses long kept in the informal shadows.

Through these efforts, Odii says, “we are building a more supportive environment where small businesses don’t just survive — they grow.”

At the core of SMEDAN’s philosophy is the GROW Nigerian strategy — an acronym for Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce support. It’s not just a catchy phrase; it’s a structured framework that’s already transforming thousands of MSMEs into engines of national prosperity.

“We are committed to deepening SME development,” Odii affirmed,
“because it is one of the most effective levers for economic transformation and inclusive growth.”

With billions secured, jobs created, IDCs revived, and youth-led startups taking shape, SMEDAN under Charles Odii has shown that supporting small businesses isn't just policy talk — it’s a proven strategy for national rebirth.