Vice President Kashim Shettima announced on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu has directed the disbursement of a N150,000 grant to each participant of the expanded National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Clinic.
Shettima made the announcement at the third edition of the MSMEs Clinic at the Trade Fair Complex in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The grant, which does not require repayment, aims to support small businesses, which the Vice President described as “the lifelines of communities across the nation and a strong pillar of stability during this critical phase of our economic transition.” Shettima revealed the importance of prioritizing MSMEs, stating, “We cannot claim to have excelled in our interventions unless they remain our top priority.”
The expanded National MSME Clinics is a federal government initiative to ease doing business in Nigeria, providing on-the-spot solutions to challenges facing MSMEs.
The program has already been launched in Benue and Ogun states, with upcoming editions in Borno and Enugu states, culminating in the National MSME Awards in FCT on June 27. During his visit to Ekiti State, Shettima also commissioned the Ekiti State Ultra-Modern Fashion and Garment Hub at Odua Textile Complex, Basiri, Ado Ekiti, which has the potential to create 48,000 jobs annually. He praised the hub as a milestone in empowering local industries, rivaling global standards.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji thanked the Vice President for his support and wisdom, while Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele commended the collaboration between federal and state governments. Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake assured the people of Ekiti State that their welfare is a priority for the federal government.
