csrreporters 
The Federal Government on Tuesday awarded N250,000 grants to selected small business owners in Ondo State, reaffirming its commitment to grassroots entrepreneurship and economic empowerment across Nigeria.
The disbursement took place during the launch of the 7th edition of the Expanded National MSMEs Clinics in Akure. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who presided over the event, described the grant as an unconditional gesture—a direct investment from the Nigerian people into the hands of deserving entrepreneurs who have demonstrated innovation and resilience at the grassroots.
“This is not a loan,” Shettima clarified. “It is a gift to empower businesses that are driving community-level transformation.”
Each qualifying business identified during the clinic received N250,000 to support and scale their operations. The Vice President emphasized the critical role of MSMEs, noting that they contribute over 45% to Nigeria’s GDP and provide livelihoods for more than 60 million people.
“MSMEs are the silent architects of our survival—the pulse of every community,” he said. “Any credible poverty reduction strategy must prioritize their growth.”
Shettima also highlighted other federal support mechanisms, including:
- A N75 billion MSME Intervention Fund through the Bank of Industry.
- A N50 billion grant scheme targeting one million nano businesses with N50,000 each.
- A N75 billion Manufacturers Fund offering up to N1 billion in single-digit interest loans.
He encouraged Ondo-based business owners to maximize the opportunities offered by the clinic, which brings regulators, financial institutions, and support agencies into direct contact with entrepreneurs—facilitating real-time resolution of bureaucratic challenges.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State commended the Federal Government for its proactive MSME agenda, noting alignment with Ondo’s own efforts in agriculture, manufacturing, and the creative economy.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State hailed the initiative as a rare and effective federal intervention, bridging the gap between national policy and local execution.
Traditional leaders also lent their support. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, urged Nigerians to patronize made-in-Nigeria products, describing MSMEs as the foundation of national self-reliance. The Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Chiefs, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, praised recent reforms and pledged traditional institutions’ support for enterprise-driven development.
The Director General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, shared that the Ondo MSMEs Clinic has already begun delivering results, echoing the positive feedback from previous editions. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, described the clinics as effective platforms for resolving regulatory bottlenecks in real time.
During a courtesy visit to the Ondo State Council of Chiefs, Vice President Shettima described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a bold reformer and “a son of the Southwest,” noting key national policies including the removal of fuel subsidies and the fight against multiple taxation.
The day concluded with an exhibition tour, where dignitaries engaged with small business owners from Ondo and neighbouring states. The event reaffirmed the government’s strategy to prioritize grassroots economic empowerment as a cornerstone of national development.
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