By Umar Adamu
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to synergize with relevant organizations in supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as vital engines of industrial and economic growth in Niger State.
The Niger State Coordinator of RMRDC, Dr. Abdulrasheed Mohammed, represented by a Principal Scientific Officer, Mrs. Zafirah Zakari Sabo, made this known at the Niger State Ecosystem Engagement Meeting on Strengthening the MSME Landscape, held at Gudel Hotel Minna, Niger State.
Mrs. Zafirah restated RMRDC’s readiness to partner with key ecosystem actors in promoting local raw materials development, agro-industrial clusters, and enterprise sustainability. She highlighted challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to funding information, policy gaps, and the absence of a unified MSME databank.
She called for coordinated inter-agency collaboration, creation of industrial hubs, and policy reforms to provide incentives for small businesses even as she further emphasized that under the leadership of Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, the Council is implementing strategic programs to promote industrial clusters, support capacity building, and strengthen data-driven planning for MSME growth.
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of concern during the event.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Musa Ebayaya, representing GIZ-GOPA, spoke on the theme “Building a Cohesive and Impactful Entrepreneurship Ecosystem for MSMEs.” He stressed that the growth of MSMEs depends on effective collaboration among ecosystem players in the areas of policy, finance, culture, human capital, and market access.
Drawing lessons from Silicon Valley, he called for the adoption of the Inspire, Create, Start, and Scale (ICSS) framework to promote innovation, research-industry linkage, and venture financing in Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Entrepreneurship Development Organization (E.D.O), Prof. (Engr.) Caroline Alenoghena, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of a collective responsibility in building a thriving MSME ecosystem. She encouraged participants to contribute practical solutions that would help businesses survive beyond their critical early years.
The goodwill messages delivered by representatives of the Niger State Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Humanitarian and Disaster Management, the Niger State Internal Revenue Service (NSIRS), and the National Association of Shea Producers, all pledged support for policy reforms, access to finance, and training opportunities for small business owners.
Participants resolved to hold regular ecosystem engagement meetings and to develop a follow-up framework to ensure accountability and measurable impact. The stakeholders also commended the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and other partners for their active participation, describing the engagement as a major step toward building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem in Niger State.
The stakeholders included FUT Entrepreneurship Centre Minna, Technology Incubation Centre (TIC), Minna, Better Life Program for the African Rural Woman, P3 Consulting Limited, Agricultural Graduate Association of Nigeria (AGAN), African Youth Empowerment in Agriculture and Industrial Development (AYEAID), Christian and Muslim Inter Religious Peace Foundation (CHANMUS), Sanni Bello Foundation, Kingdom Business Solutions, KPC Consults Ltd and relevant State’s MDAs.
The event rounded off with strong commitments from the stakeholders to deepen collaborations, improve access to finance, and establish MSME production hubs across Niger State.
