Bauchi Governor, SMEDAN DG Discuss Partnership to Strengthen MSME Sector
His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, CON, Executive Governor of Bauchi State, on Monday received the Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii, during a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
The meeting, described as both cordial and strategic, focused on advancing joint efforts to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Bauchi State.
SMEDAN Honours Governor Bala with ‘SME Governor of the Year’ Award
Highlighting the purpose of his visit, Mr. Odii presented Governor Bala Mohammed with the “SME Governor of the Year 2024” award, in recognition of his remarkable contributions toward strengthening the MSME landscape in the state.
He commended the governor’s leadership for fostering a conducive environment for small businesses and empowering young entrepreneurs with opportunities to thrive. Mr. Odii noted that Bauchi State has become a shining example of how political commitment can stimulate grassroots economic development.
Focus on Skills, Finance, and Support Systems
While congratulating the governor, the SMEDAN DG also expressed readiness to deepen collaboration between the agency and the Bauchi State Government. He identified key areas such as:
- Expanding access to financing for entrepreneurs,
- Enhancing enterprise training and skill acquisition programs, and
- Providing stronger institutional support for small businesses.
According to him, these initiatives are vital to scaling the impact of MSMEs, especially in rural communities and among women and youth.
Governor Bala: MSMEs Are Engines of Economic Inclusion
In response, Governor Bala Mohammed expressed gratitude to SMEDAN for the recognition and reiterated his government’s commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth through enterprise development.
He described the award as a validation of his administration’s ongoing efforts to empower Bauchi’s people through strategic investment in MSMEs.
“Small businesses play a critical role in tackling poverty and unemployment. Our focus is on creating sustainable livelihoods by supporting innovation, vocational skills, and access to capital,” the governor said.
He also pledged to work closely with SMEDAN and other federal agencies to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes economic transformation through inclusive policies.
Path Forward
Both parties agreed on the need to establish a collaborative framework that would facilitate the rollout of impactful programs for MSMEs in the state. Governor Bala Mohammed emphasized that the partnership would accelerate development, particularly at the grassroots level.
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