■Odii says initiative will equip entrepreneurs with abilities, capital to scale companies, create jobs
James Emejo in Abuja
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), mentioned it goals to create 100 millionaire entrepreneurs by means of a mix of enterprise growth coaching, monetary grants and market entry initiatives at its forthcoming GROW Nigerian Conference 2026.
The initiative, which can function a ₦100 million pitch competitors, is designed to deal with a few of the main constraints confronting small companies, significantly restricted entry to finance, insufficient enterprise administration abilities and difficulties accessing markets.
SMEDAN Director General, Mr. Charles Odii, mentioned the company was looking for to maneuver entrepreneurs past abilities acquisition to constructing commercially viable companies able to producing wealth, sustaining livelihoods and creating employment.
The convention, scheduled for November 8 to 10 in Lagos, will deliver collectively entrepreneurs, buyers, policymakers, monetary establishments and regulatory companies.
Speaking forward of the occasion, Odii mentioned the 100-millionaire ambition was anchored on the understanding that entrepreneurial potential alone was inadequate to construct profitable companies with out entry to the required instruments, capital and market alternatives.
He defined that whereas some aspiring entrepreneurs possessed related abilities, their incapacity to afford tools and different start-up necessities prevented them from translating these abilities into income-generating ventures.
Similarly, he mentioned current companies required improved information of pricing, buyer acquisition and monetary administration to deploy capital successfully and obtain sustainable progress.
He mentioned, “Our ambition to create 100 millionaires brings these needs together. We want entrepreneurs to leave the conference with useful skills, financial support and connections that help them build businesses capable of sustaining livelihoods and employing others.”
The three-day convention, themed, “GROW Nigerian: The Next Frontier for Innovation, Policy and Market Access”, will mix sensible masterclasses with funding alternatives, with chosen contributors anticipated to obtain monetary grants upon completion of the periods.
The Zero to 100 Pitch Competition, which carries a ₦100 million prize pool, will present one other funding window for promising enterprises, with prize disbursements scheduled for the Lagos convention and a separate occasion in Northern Nigeria.
The remaining pitch shows and prize awards will happen on November 10.
According to a press release, the programme can even function a enterprise clinic the place regulatory and enterprise assist establishments will present direct help to entrepreneurs on enterprise registration, compliance necessities and different operational challenges.
A devoted NAFDAC Summit on November 9 will deliver collectively the company’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and SMEDAN management with enterprise house owners and SME consultant teams to look at regulatory bottlenecks and potential options.
NAFDAC can even show its NAPAMS platform, offering sensible steerage on its use and responding to questions from taking part companies.
The convention will function the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BoI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi; Managing Director of the Development Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Tony Okpanachi; and Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Abubakar A. Bello.
Also anticipated are the Director General of NAFDAC, Adeyeye; Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN; and Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Oluwaseun Mayomi Faleye.
Group Chief Executive of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, will ship the keynote deal with, drawing on his expertise in constructing and increasing a Nigerian enterprise.
Other confirmed facilitators embody Chude Jideonwo, co-founder of Red Africa and Joy Inc.; Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, founding father of Zapphaire Events; Teniola Chigbata, popularly generally known as TennyCoco; Nelly Agbogu, founding father of NaijaBrandChick; and Anita Natacha Akide, generally known as Symply Tacha.
Their periods will give attention to occasion administration, magnificence and make-up artistry, constructing magnificence companies and deploying synthetic intelligence for advertising and marketing, amongst different sensible areas of enterprise growth.
The programme can even incorporate a movie screening and expertise growth element, with award-winning filmmaker, Tola Odunsi, scheduled to display screen his newest manufacturing, 19, and conduct dwell auditions for a movie commissioned by SMEDAN.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria First Fair, which can run all through the three days, is anticipated to supply taking part Nigerian companies with direct entry to customers, company patrons and retailers.
The market will allow small companies to showcase regionally made merchandise, appeal to clients, discover bulk orders and set up business relationships forward of the festive season.
SMEDAN mentioned the truthful would additionally provide Lagos residents a chance to buy instantly from native enterprises, arguing that elevated patronage of Nigerian merchandise might strengthen the income base of small companies.
The convention will open on November 8 with the Nigeria First Fair and a Fashion and Food Showcase, whereas the formal opening ceremony is scheduled for November 9. Lagos (*100*) Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is anticipated to attend.
The convention is being organised in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH by means of its Sustainable Economic Development Cluster, with assist from the German Government and co-funding from Denmark, Switzerland and the European Union.
MTN and the Korea International Development Agency (KOICA) are additionally companions, whereas the Lagos (*100*) Government is the host and Ecobank the associate host.
