By Felix Khanoba
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has praised the GROW Nigeria strategy, an initiative designed to strengthen Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through structured support in the areas of guidance, resources, opportunities, and workforce development.
The programme, initby the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has been described as both ambitious and people-centric.
During a visit to SMEDAN’s headquarters in Abuja, Oduwole highlighted how the initiative complements President Bola Tinubu’s Nigeria First Policy, noting its alignment with the administration’s broader economic goals.
She commended SMEDAN’s targeted interventions—particularly the creation of high-grade shared facilities—as evidence of Nigeria’s increasing capacity to support local industries, drive employment, and improve the competitiveness of homegrown businesses.
“It is heartening to witness first-hand how these well-equipped centres are empowering small businesses to thrive.
“The G.R.O.W. Nigeria framework is a transformative model that encapsulates the vision of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting Made-in-Nigeria goods and supporting value addition across the MSME sector,” she said.
Dr. Oduwole also toured SMEDAN’s Common Facility Centres (CFCs), which cater to sectors such as garment manufacturing, furniture production, recycling, and food packaging. She lauded the progress achieved under the leadership of SMEDAN Director General, Mr. Charles Odii.
In response, Odii reiterated the agency’s ongoing dedication to improving the MSME landscape through strategic collaborations, business support services, and the development of sustainable industrial clusters nationwide.
According to a statement from SMEDAN’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Moshood Lawal, the minister’s visit reflects the Federal Ministry’s sustained backing for SMEDAN’s efforts to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s MSME sector as a cornerstone of inclusive economic growth and long-term development.
