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The founder and convener of the Small-Scale Enterprises Lab (SSE Lab), Mrs. Desola Jimmy-Eboma, has highlighted that the future of Nigeria’s economy hinges on the creativity, resilience, and innovation of the country’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking at the MBA Business Shower: Cohort 2 Graduation and Business Showcase in Lagos, themed “Innovation, Inclusion, Impact: Redefining MSMEs in Nigeria’s Economy,” Jimmy-Eboma emphasized that nurturing entrepreneurs not only fuels their dreams but also lays the foundation for sustainable national prosperity.
“Today, we celebrate not just the graduation of entrepreneurs but the birth of new enterprises that will shape industries, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth,” she said.
SSE Lab, a business development and empowerment platform, supports micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) across Africa from idea conception to full execution and scaling focusing on practicality, sustainability, and structured growth.
Jimmy-Eboma explained that the Manufacturing Business Accelerator (MBA) programme is designed to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and mentorship necessary to transform ideas and side hustles into scalable and sustainable ventures.
“In just ninety days, our participants navigate a journey of discovery, validation, and execution, emerging with market-ready products and businesses poised to thrive,” she said.
She described the Business Showers as more than graduation ceremonies: “They are launchpads where innovation meets opportunity, courage meets recognition, and small beginnings are transformed into impactful enterprises.” She also called for consistent support for SMEs to ensure they evolve into sustainable success stories that resonate locally and internationally.
Dr. Charles Odii, Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), commended SSE Lab’s initiative, describing it as timely and critical for the growth of Nigeria’s MSME sector. Represented by SMEDAN’s South-West Coordinator, Olukayode Shode, he stressed that developing SMEs requires collaborative efforts from government, private sector, and individuals.
“The more collective support we provide, the greater the success for MSMEs in Nigeria,” Shode added.
Esther Obiekwe, Head of Retail and SME Banking at NOVA Bank, further underscored the importance of entrepreneurship for national resilience. “Nigeria’s economic strength lies not in oil, but in entrepreneurial diversity,” she said. Obiekwe highlighted that every SME empowered translates into job creation, family sustenance, and community transformation.
She noted, “Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises constitute over 90% of businesses, employ 80% of the workforce, and contribute nearly half of our GDP. Every empowered SME is a step toward self-sufficiency and sustainable economic growth for Nigeria.”