Trade Minister Hails SMEDAN’s G.R.O.W. Nigeria Model for MSME Development

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has commended the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) for its bold implementation of the G.R.O.W. Nigeria strategy.

The strategy is a people-centred initiative designed to provide Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce support for MSMEs across the country.

Dr. Oduwole gave the commendation during her working visit to SMEDAN’s headquarters in Abuja, where she undertook an extensive inspection of the agency’s Common Facility Centres (CFCs) dedicated to garment production, furniture making, recycling, and food packaging.

According to a statement on Tuesday by the Head, Corporate Affairs SMEDAN, Moshood Lawal, Oduwole describes the initiative as “transformative,”

The Minister noteyd that the G.R.O.W. Nigeria strategy aligns directly with the Nigeria First Policy championed by President Bola Tinubu.

She laud the agency’s commitment under the leadership of Director General, Charles Odii, adding that the establishment of industry-grade shared facilities demonstrates Nigeria’s readiness to drive local production, create jobs, and scale indigenous enterprise development.

“It is heartening to witness first-hand how these well-equipped centres are empowering small businesses to thrive,” Dr. Oduwole remarked.

“This framework gives life to the Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting Made-in-Nigeria goods and fostering value addition across key sectors.”

In his response, Charles Odii reaffirmed SMEDAN’s mission to build an enabling environment for micro, small, and medium enterprises through sustainable industrial clusters, strategic partnerships, and enterprise support services.