CITAD Celebrates MSME Day, Stresses Importance of Entrepreneurship Skills
In a move to equip young Nigerians, particularly young women and girls, for a self-reliant future, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) organized a lecture celebrating 2024 Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kano on Thursday.
The Executive Director of CITAD, represented by the Centre’s Senior Program Officer, Malam Isa Garba, said Micro, Medium, and Small Enterprises (MSMEs) play a critical role in national growth and development, with women and youth contributing significantly to the sector.
Mr. Garba added that CITAD, with support from different donors, has empowered many groups of young girls and youth with entrepreneurship skills and mini grants aimed at starting their businesses and becoming self-reliant.
“CITAD, with financial support from different donors, equipped many groups of girls and youth in Kano, Bauchi, and Abuja with entrepreneurship skills and mini grants to start their businesses in order to become self-reliant.”
Mr. Garba also urged the government at all levels to support MSMEs, considering that MSMEs account for 96.4% of Nigerian businesses and their contribution to the GDP is about 46 percent, and without them, 80 percent of the current Nigerian workforce would be without employment.
Nura S. Madugu, representing the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, emphasized the importance of collaboration among policymakers, large corporations, financial institutions, and the international community.
According to Nura Madugu, “Together, we can create an enabling environment where MSMEs flourish and contribute meaningfully to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”
He argued that it is essential for empowering MSMEs to contribute to achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including goals like eradicating poverty and promoting decent work for all.
Muhammad Khamis of Sharada Small Scale Industries highlighted the challenges faced by Nigerian MSMEs, such as limited access to financing, inadequate infrastructure, and burdensome regulations.
“We urge policymakers to address the challenges faced by MSMEs, such as limited financing and regulatory burdens. A thriving MSME sector is crucial for economic growth and job creation.”
He added that the persistent energy crisis has severely affected small-scale industries, causing shutdowns, hampering productivity, and escalating operational expenses.
“In recent times, frequent blackouts and power outages amid high tariffs have become a routine part of life for businesses, disrupting production schedules, leading to losses, and making it difficult to meet consumer demands,” he added.
Muhammad Adamu Muhammad, representing the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (KACCIMA), emphasized the vital role MSMEs play in Nigeria’s national economy and the need to support and empower MSMEs to thrive.
“Let us celebrate the immense contribution of MSMEs to our national economy. By supporting their growth, we are strengthening the foundation of a prosperous Nigeria.”
Adamu Muhammad added that many MSMEs require access to capital, power supply, capacity building, access to markets, equipment, innovations, information, and linkages to sustain, grow, and build their businesses into more profitable ventures.
Both speakers commended CITAD for joining the global celebration, stating that “it is a demonstration of the Centre’s commitment to building an MSME community that will become more resilient, efficient, prosperous, and competitive.”
