Being text of the inaugural speech delivered by DR. ALBERT OLAJIDE AKINYEMI, Chairman, MSME FORUM Board of Trustees, October 6th, 2022 Today is an epoch making day marking the inauguration of Forum of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Business Membership Organization of Nigeria. We are grateful to the Almighty God for making this event a reality today. Right from the day the idea of forming this mega organization was conceived, the untiring effort of all who are present today has gone a long way not only to underscore its importance but also its desirability in fostering the growth and survival of MSME. Suffice is to say that the importance of MSMEs in national development has continuously resonated in public policies and agenda to foster the growth of the Nigerian economy.However, the precious bride has not received the quantum of attention. Hence this organization would be a voice of the needy to move the sector forward. Let me thank on behalf of our teeming membership, the initiatives of government to continuously support the MSME growth through ongoing interventions. But, as Oliver Twist, we need more, particularly for areas causing pain to MSME, prominent among which is funding as our topic of discourse today would manifest. We cannot but thank all development partners for the different roles they have played to support the MSME sector. We ask for more support. We are aware of imminent preparations by development partners to prepare the Country Service Framework for the next cycle in due course. We plead passionately for inclusion of veritable programmes that would help in supporting the MSME development in Nigeria especially capacity building. Let me say that Forum has a 5 – Year Strategic Development Plan for MSME development in Nigeria which would be introduced to our distinguished audience, We need your support to activate this dream.I wish to specifically thank members of the Diplomatic Corps who are present to grace this occasion despite their tight schedules. We wish to ask for your support through your commercial desks, all assistance for development of our MSME products for possible export potential to your countries. We would be prepared to collaborate with your missions to conduct investors’ forum and trade missions.I cannot end my address without highlighting the importance of our BMO members and their contributions. They have in no small way contributed to what we are doing today.I want to place on record the contributions of Raw Materials Research and Development Council for supporting MSME FORUM variously. The Director General/ CEO in person of Professor H. D. Ibrahim deserves our commendation for his untiring efforts in seeing to the growth and development of MSMEs in Nigeria.I wish to thank the Inauguration Committee of the MSME FORUM for midwifing this event which is manifesting today. We give them good pat on the back for a job well done.Ladies and gentlemen and members of the press, I once more welcome you all to this event. I thank you for your attention.God bless Nigeria.
MSME FORUM restructures
The MSME FORUM Business Membership Organization in Nigeria has been restructured into two main bodies for effective administration and implementation of it’s policies and programmes for the benefit of the sub-sector and the nation’s economy.Dr. Albert Olajide Akinyemi, the outgoing Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), announced this in his welcome address during s Special BMO Strategic Planning meeting held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Raw Materials Research and Development Council, (RMRDC), headquarters, Maitama, Abuja.The two bodies are: Governing Council, headed by Mrs. Rose D. S. Gyar as the Chairman, and the Secretariat, headed by Dr. Francis Alaneme, as the Director General with seven directorates responsible for the day-to-day running of the administration.Dr. Akinyemi hinted that the body now has a Consultancy outfit called “MSME Consultancy Firm” registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), to serve as a vehicle for the implementation of its Micro Enterprises Cluster Development Programme, (MECdev) in order to enhance the development of the MSME sub-sector through capacity building, access to finance, market and technology. The MSME FORUM Business Membership Organization in Nigeria has been restructured into two main bodies for effective administration and implementation of it’s policies and programmes for the benefit of the sub-sector and the nation’s economy.Dr. Albert Olajide Akinyemi, the outgoing Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), announced this in his welcome address during s Special BMO Strategic Planning meeting held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Raw Materials Research and Development Council, (RMRDC), headquarters, Maitama, Abuja.The two bodies are: Governing Council, headed by Mrs. Rose D. S. Gyar as the Chairman, and the Secretariat, headed by Dr. Francis Alaneme, as the Director General with seven directorates responsible for the day-to-day running of the administration.Dr. Akinyemi hinted that the body now has a Consultancy outfit called “MSME Consultancy Firm” registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), to serve as a vehicle for the implementation of its Micro Enterprises Cluster Development Programme, (MECdev) in order to enhance the development of the MSME sub-sector through capacity building, access to finance, market and technology.
MSME FORUM organizes sensitization programme on how toaccess BOI loan
In line with his mandate to pave way for MSME operators to access funds for their businesses, the FORUM of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Business Membership Organization of Nigeria (MSME FORUM) had a sensitization meeting with applicants recommended by their respective business membership organizations on how to access Bank of Industry (BOI) loan of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) and above. Some of the BMOs that recommended applicants includes National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), National Kenaf Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (KEPPMAN), National Ginger Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NAGPPMAN) and GLONCHEED. The purpose of the sensitization carried out by MSME FORUM and Gren Mount Consult, an accredited Bank of Industry (BOI) Business Development Service Provider (BDSP) is to build the applicants capacity on the loan documentation process which is one of the challenges in accessing loan from the Bank of Industry (BOI).
MSME FORUM Visits Technology and Innovation Complex
Stepping out of the Council at the end of the courtesy visit, the MSME FORUM team, led by Dr. Albert Olajide Akinyemi embarked on a facility tour of the industrial complex constructed by Professor H. D. Ibrahim, the Director-General of Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC.Sitting impressively on a three hectres of land cut out for the Council from the expanse of land allocated to the National Space research and Development Agency, NASRDA, along airport road, the industrial complex will impact considerably on raw materials sourcing and utilization, technology and products development, job creation and foreign exchange conservation. Known as RMRDC Technology and Innovation Complex, it is, significantly, first of its kind since the establishment of the Council in 1988. Its first and second phase consisting of twenty five pilot plants have been completed and commissioned by former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. Its third and last phase has since commenced with a near completion of a 500-seater multi-purpose hall, a laboratory, office block and buildings that will house additional eight pilot plants. Since the industrial complex is MSME based, it behoved the MSME FORUM to go there and see things for themselves. “This is fantastic,” said Alhaji Garba Ibrahim Gusau, mni, MFR, the president of the FORUM, when the bus that conveyed the team drove into the complex. Dr Akinyemi was aghast by the magnificence of the complex. “This is an impressive technological breakthrough for Nigeria,” he said, urging the Federal Government to build on the Council’s effort for further technological advancement.” Describing Professor Ibrahim as a genius, he said what the Director-General has built is far more impressive than what the Universities of Blackburn and Stryclyde in United Kingdom, where he cut his academic teeth, have done, stating that government should make use of the Professor adequately well, even after his tenure. He urged President Tinubu and his vice to visit the complex just as the Minister of Science, technology and Innovation. Aligning with the Minister’s proposition that the industrial complex be replicated in the country’s six-geopolitical zones, he promised to donate 10 acres of land in Ekiti State for that of the Southwest zone whenever government is ready to proceed accordingly.
Formalization of collaboration with Federal Ministryof Industry, Trade and Investment
Shortly after the inauguration, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment formalized its collaboration with the Forum of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Business Membership Organizations of Nigeria with a Memorandum of Understanding. The signing ceremony took place in the office of the Ministry’s Director of Trade, Alhaji Aliyu with Alhaji Garba Ibrahim Gusau, National President and Barrister Vera Ndanusa, Secretary, Board of Trustees, signing on behalf of the MSME FORUM, while the Director of Trade signed for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. The scope of the MOU as spelt out in Article 1 of the document is for the MSME FORUM to partner with the Ministry to, among other objectives, create employment, reduce poverty and ensure service delivery that will stimulate growth of MSMEs and improve productivity in Nigeria; identify the challenges of MSMEs with the aid of the Ministry’s strategic position and platform as an executive arm of government in collaboration with public and private sectors in Nigeria and in other countries of the world; recognize all such related, connected or incidental duties necessary for the development of MSMEs through development partners and forge relationship with related Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to provide technical and financial support to address the economic challenges of MSME and advance an atmosphere of economic development among the MSMEs/BMOs.
Signing of MOU with Federal Ministry of Finance,Budget and National Planning
On Tuesday, January 17th, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Forum of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Business Membership Organizations of Nigeria, MSME FORUM, signed a Memorandum of Understanding that formalized the working relationship between the two partners. The ceremony, which was well attended by both sides, took place in the conference room of the Budget and National Planning division of the Ministry. Alhaji Garba Ibrahim Gusau, the National President led the MSME FORUM team comprising three members of the Board of Trustees (Dr. Caroline Nwosu, Barr Vera Ndanusa, and Barr Fidelis Ogbu) and six members of the Technical Committee, namely, Mr. Olusegun Adeleke, Mr. Joseph Attah, Dr. Francis Alaneme, Dr. Linus Obinna, Barr Ibrahim Atukpa and Engineer Marvyse Ogba. The Honorable Minister of State, Mr. Clem Agba signed the document on behalf of the Ministry, while the National President, Alhaji Garba Ibrahim Gusau and Secretary, Governing Council, Barrister Vera Ndanusa, signed on behalf of the MSME FORUM. The ultimate goal of the MOU is to ensure the building of a strong partnership with the Ministry for the purpose of developing and strengthening the MSME FORUM and the Business Membership Organizations {BMOs). The document spelt out mutual responsibilities to be carried out to achieve this goal.
MSME FORUM Donates sewing machine at Ojaja Women Empowerment Programme
The MSME FORUM was invited to participate actively in the one week long empowerment programme organized to train some victims of female trafficking in various entrepreneurial skills.As part of its mission to be a catalyst for entrepreneurial development in Nigeria, the MSME FORUM donated a brand new sewing machine to the OJAJA WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME to be given as support to one of the trainees. The week long event, which began on Thursday, December 1st, is its last lap with a grand commemoration of his royal majesty’s 7th year on the throne of Oduduwa.
Shettima to declare open expanded National MSMEs Business Clinics
…inaugurates Fashion Hub, Adire Shared Facility in Ogun The Vice President, Kashim Shettima will on Tuesday declare open the Expanded National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Business Clinics in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The Vice President will embark on a one-day visit to Ogun State on Tuesday. The event will be held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. The Expanded National MSMEs Business Clinic is an initiative of the Federal Government executed in collaboration with state governments. It is geared towards providing lasting solutions to the challenges hindering the development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), help MSMEs have access to capital, formalize their businesses, and also exhibit their products among others. The Clinic would allow small business owners to meet regulatory bodies like the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and others as well as feature grant presentations to qualified MSMEs.The Vice President would also inaugurate the Fashion Hub project at the Old OGTV auditorium where over 150 state-of-the-art tailoring equipment have been provided for stakeholders in the fashion industry as well as the Adire shared facility at Asero, Abeokuta. Participants are expected to register preferably before the day of the event using the programme’s barcode or register via https://forms.gle/BAhogfGarYa5tLWA9.
FG launches N200 billion intervention fund for MSMEs, manufacturers in Nigeria
The Federal Government has announced the launch of N200 billion Presidential Intervention Fund for Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) and manufacturers in Nigeria. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, made this announcement on Monday in Abuja. She said that following the ongoing disbursements targeted at supporting one million nano businesses across the country, the government has decided to include both MSMEs and manufacturers into the initiative. According to Uzoka-Anite, N75 billion will be distributed to MSMEs while another N75 billion will be distributed to the manufacturing industry under the Presidential Intervention Fund.
MSME FORUM to Launch Micro Enterprises Cluster Development Scheme
The Forum of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Business Membership Organizations of Nigeria, also known as MSME FORUM, is set to launch a programme termed Micro, Small and Medium EnterpriseCluster Development Scheme. The scheme, EDS for short, is specifically designed to create a unique and committed platform for the development and structuring of registered MSMEs as well as profiling them to qualify for access to finance. Designed in the main to serve as a focused solution approach to the constant and unending access to finance problems, the Scheme will have a funding component that will be used as a Guarantee Fund for funding facility to cater for all categories of traders from the Nanos, to micro, small and medium enterprises in Nigeria. It is projected that the EDS will generate over 10 million jobs. A pilot edition of the Scheme has been slated to take off in Kaduna. A team of the MSME FORUM comprising Joseph Attah, representatives of the Federal Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning, National Space Research and Development Agency (SMEDAN), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and Fidelity Bank, was in Kaduna February 14th, 2023 at the behest of Mallam Nasir El Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State to seek collaboration for the pilot programme. Former Governor Nasir El Rufai was represented by Commissioner for Business Innovations and Technology, Professor Kabir Kato. Present also were the Permanent Secretary and some of the directors in the Ministry.