Vice President Kashim Shettima has described Ondo State as a vital player in Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement, emphasizing the role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in driving national prosperity.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 7th edition of the Expanded National MSME Clinic held in Akure, Shettima said the country’s economic progress is closely tied to the development of small businesses. The event, tagged Ondo 2025, took place at The Dome, International Culture and Event Centre.
He stressed that MSMEs form the bedrock of the Nigerian economy, accounting for over 90 percent of jobs, and must be supported to achieve inclusive growth.
“Small businesses are the backbone of this nation. Without strengthening them, our efforts to reduce poverty and build national wealth will remain limited,” he said.
The Vice President disclosed that 65 MSMEs from Ondo State had accessed funding from the Federal Government’s N75 billion intervention scheme, reiterating that states like Ondo are central to Nigeria’s economic strategy.
He also highlighted key components of the Renewed Hope Agenda, including President Bola Tinubu’s directive to plant 100 million oil palm trees and efforts to revive cocoa production across the country.
Shettima commended Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for his administration’s visible commitment to infrastructure development and support for MSMEs.
“What I’ve seen here today is a reflection of purposeful governance. The Governor deserves commendation for the work being done,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the clinic as a transformative initiative aimed at unlocking the potential of MSMEs to boost the national economy. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment through programs under the OUR EASE agenda, which align with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Governor spotlighted the achievements of local businesses such as Denki Wire and Cables Ltd and Kay Classic Fashion, both winners of national MSME excellence awards in manufacturing and fashion, respectively.
He also listed several initiatives supporting small businesses, including interest-free loans provided by the Ondo State Micro-Credit Agency, which disbursed over N220 million in 2024, access to the Bank of Industry’s intervention fund, and the Odatiwa Skills Development Enterprise Centres (OSDEC) — the first to offer shared production facilities in the state.
Governor Aiyedatiwa appealed to the Federal Government for support in establishing a shared Fashion Hub and an Oil Palm Processing Plant in the state to further drive productivity.
Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, who also attended the event, lauded the MSME Clinic initiative as a strategic move to empower small business owners and enhance human capacity development. He called for greater patronage of locally made products to stimulate productivity and economic growth.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, praised the empowerment of young entrepreneurs and urged stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to promote Nigerian-made goods.
Presidential Adviser on Job Creation and MSMEs, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, highlighted the impact of the clinics across the country, noting how direct access to regulatory agencies has improved efficiency and performance among small businesses.
Welcoming guests earlier, Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami expressed appreciation to Vice President Shettima for his visit and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to policies that empower local entrepreneurs.
Orioye Gbayisemore, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, said the administration has empowered over 10,000 youths through various initiatives, noting that Ondo youth are industrious, innovative, and key contributors to national development.
Earlier in the day, Vice President Shettima met with traditional rulers at the Ondo State Council of Obas Secretariat, where he sought continued royal support for the Tinubu administration’s policies and development agenda ahead of 2027.
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