I had the honor of attending the Expanded National MSME Business Clinic in Abeokuta, Ogun State, upon the invitation of His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima. The event, which gathered key stakeholders and industry leaders, was also graced by the presence of His Excellency, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun. It was an inspiring occasion aimed at addressing the needs of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria and unveiling new initiatives to support their growth and development.

One of the key announcements made during the clinic was the launch of the Small and Medium Enterprises Industrial Land Acquisition Scheme (SILAS) by Governor Dapo Abiodun. This landmark initiative is designed to tackle one of the most significant barriers to MSME growth in Nigeria—the lack of access to affordable and strategically located industrial land. Through SILAS, small businesses will now have the opportunity to acquire land in industrial zones at subsidized rates, allowing them to establish manufacturing and production facilities in proximity to essential resources and infrastructure. This will not only reduce overhead costs for MSMEs but also promote the creation of industrial clusters that will drive economic growth in the region.

In my address at the event, I emphasized the critical need for policy measures that can alleviate the challenges faced by MSMEs, particularly in the areas of production costs, market access, and financial accessibility. I reiterated the importance of reducing production costs through initiatives such as SILAS, which will allow businesses to allocate more resources toward innovation, capacity building, and improving product quality. By creating industrial zones, we can foster collaboration among businesses, leading to increased efficiency and shared access to essential services.

I also highlighted the significance of improving market access for MSMEs. In a rapidly evolving global market, Nigerian MSMEs must be equipped with the tools and platforms to compete on a larger scale. This requires improved infrastructure, logistics solutions, and digital tools that can help businesses reach new markets, both locally and internationally.

The Vice President’s steadfast support and Governor Abiodun’s commitment to advancing MSMEs underline our collective mission to foster prosperity through sustainable development. We remain focused on ensuring that small businesses have the necessary resources to grow, thrive, and drive economic progress in Nigeria.