Vice President Kashim Shettima Urges Stakeholders To Expand Support

Vice President Kashim Shettima urges stakeholders to expand support for MSMEs, push digital and agri-growth for jobs and economic transformation Abuja Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has called on financial institutions, government agencies and private-sector partners to deepen and broaden support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), saying the sector is central to Nigeria’s economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Shettima delivered the call on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while receiving the 2025–2026 MSME report during a national MSME stakeholders’ meeting attended by representatives from government, industry regulators, finance and development agencies. Shettima emphasised that MSMEs are a key driver of economic growth, employment and poverty alleviation in Nigeria. He urged stakeholders including SMEDAN, ITF, NAFDAC, CAC, NITDA, NEPC and NIPC to expand their support by:
Harnessing technology and innovation to equip MSMEs, especially youth operators, to compete in the digital economy.
Unlocking opportunities in agriculture and other priority sectors that can create jobs and strengthen value chains.
Drawing lessons from global models, Shettima highlighted India’s outsourcing success ($130 billion in 2025) as an example of how tapping into digital and service markets can pay off.
He thanked participants for advancing the MSME agenda and pledged that the Tinubu administration will continue to prioritise policies and programmes that enable small businesses to thrive.
Presented during the meeting, the 2025–2026 MSME report outlined progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including:
Expanded access to affordable finance through MSME Clinics connecting small businesses with federal/state agencies and on-the-spot institutional support.
Deployment of over 11 shared hubs nationwide, helping to formalise businesses and improve market linkages.
Creation of more than 250,000 jobs across Nigeria in the past year through coordinated MSME support initiatives.
Officials said the roadmap for 2026 will prioritise:
Strengthening coordination with partner agencies and state governments, De-risking funding for small businesses,
Expanding the National MSME Awards,
Capacity development and improved access to finance for MSMEs.
The Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, commended both President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for laying a clear blueprint for MSME growth and support.
Agency leaders from CAC, NAFDAC and NEPC shared how their bodies have supported thousands of MSMEs, improving business formalisation, compliance and export readiness.
Bank representatives from Access Bank, Zenith Bank and Wema Bank reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening financial and technical support for small businesses.
MSMEs are widely recognised as a backbone of Nigeria’s economy, responsible for a large share of employment and enterprise activity across sectors such as trade, agriculture, services and tech. The federal government has previously launched interventions, such as grants, clinics, and funds aimed at easing finance access and operational barriers for small business owners.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Tinubu’s administration continues to position inclusive growth through enterprise development and job creation as a cornerstone of national economic transformation a message reiterated by Shettima in multiple engagements with stakeholders over the past year.