SMEDAN Seeks EFCC Partnership to Boost Made-in-Nigeria Products, Youth Skills
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has sought the support of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in promoting made-in-Nigeria products and creating more opportunities for young Nigerians through skills development and entrepreneurship.
The Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja when he led a delegation from the agency on a courtesy visit to the EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at the commission’s corporate headquarters.
Odii commended Olukoyede for his efforts toward strengthening public confidence in Nigeria, particularly at the international level.
He said SMEDAN was implementing programmes aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical skills and supporting them to establish sustainable businesses.
According to him, the agency had secured approval from the Ministry of Education to establish the Inspire, Create, Start and Scale (ICSS) Institute, which would offer National Diploma programmes while integrating entrepreneurship into the training.
Odii said the initiative was designed to ensure that young Nigerians acquired both academic qualifications and practical entrepreneurial skills needed to contribute to the economy.
He also disclosed that SMEDAN was working on a national MSME policy expected to provide a five-year framework for the development of Nigeria’s micro, small and medium enterprises ecosystem.
The SMEDAN boss said the agency was also training inmates nearing release from correctional facilities, equipping them with skills to improve their chances of successful reintegration into society.
He proposed that businesses should provide employment opportunities for rehabilitated ex-inmates who had acquired relevant skills and demonstrated remorse for their past offences.
Odii further sought collaboration with the EFCC’s Cybersecurity Research and Training Centre, proposing that SMEDAN’s relevant curriculum and technical expertise be incorporated into the centre’s programmes.
He said the two agencies could also work together on the rehabilitation of young people involved in cybercrime by providing them with skills acquisition and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Responding, Olukoyede welcomed the proposals and expressed the EFCC’s readiness to partner with SMEDAN in promoting locally produced goods, youth empowerment, skills development and cybercrime prevention.
The EFCC chairman said providing legitimate skills and economic opportunities for young Nigerians was critical to addressing some of the factors driving young people into cybercrime.
Olukoyede also urged Nigerians, including members of the EFCC community, to patronise locally manufactured products, stressing that supporting small businesses would contribute to national economic growth.
He commended SMEDAN for its initiatives and encouraged greater collaboration between both institutions to empower young Nigerians and strengthen the nation’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
