Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has lauded the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for its unrelenting support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 30th edition of the MSME clinic in Borno State, Osinbajo pointed out that the clinic served as the bridge between the federal and state governments, and small businesses in every state by bringing all relevant regulatory agencies together to work with experience and help small businesses to solve their problems. “The idea is similar to providing an opportunity for patients to consult doctors of mobile clinics.
“The FG aims to establish one-stop shops for MSMEs. All facilities are provided for small businesses to benefit from the services, with working synergy of regulatory agencies which will be more readily accessible and cost-beneficial,” he said.
He mentioned the importance of shared facilities for MSMEs as another innovation, even as he assured participants of the FG’s full support for the cost of the shared facilities with the latest equipment. The shared facilities or shop facilities are meant to relieve the financial burden for the overall benefit of youth and women.
Osinbajo urged the MSMEs to utilise the matching order of the FG to tap into the opportunity with relevant government agencies like NITDA, which supports MSMEs from scratch.
Earlier, the Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Amb. Maryam Katagun, in her remarks, outlined the support of NITDA in small businesses by creating opportunities for them to thrive. This is imperative for increasing productivity, creating jobs and boosting our economy.
“Since its inception in 2017, the MSMEs clinic has served as an effective platform to enable government interaction with stakeholders across all sectors to ensure that all MSMEs have the support they need to grow and flourish. Also, it is imperative to mention that clinics periodically organised by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment with the collaboration of the Office of the Vice President have significantly impacted the sub-sector.
“The 30th edition was intended to provide MSMS with critical information, regulation and additional assistance, avail businesses with immediate expert advice, as well as offer more in-depth advisory services,” she stated.
Katagun mentioned that the MSME clinic has a single point of access that can improve potential businesses and [provide] support, particularly for youth and women in MSMEs to use socio-economic dividends. “The clinic is targeting youth and women as the economic actors of change.”
The minister observed that MSMEs’ activities and exhibitions in Borno State demonstrate the FG’s determination to reposition the sub-sector for more efficient growth and development by institutionalising a culture of responsive and supporting services MSMEs prepared to improve the ease of doing business.
On its part, NITDA promised to continue its nationwide support to MSMEs for economic impact and growth that will change the dynamic nature of the analogue business model to digital innovation.
