Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for the inclusion of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the government’s policy and decision-making processes.
Shettima told the MSMEs stakeholders’ meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja that increased collaboration between the government and economic stakeholders was necessary so that small business owners could have a meaningful voice in the government’s policy and decision-making processes.
Shettima directed the Special Adviser to the President on MSMEs and Job Creation, Mr. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, to expand the membership of the MSMEs Stakeholders’ Meeting.
The vice president also urged Adekunle-Johnson to ensure that the forum convenes the meeting quarterly.
Shettima, who noted the interconnected nature of governance and enterprise, demanded a seat at the table for the private sector and that small business owners must have a direct voice in shaping government policy.
He commended Adekunle-Johnson for the pace and persistence he had brought to the MSME assignment.
“I therefore direct him to expand this forum’s membership and convene this meeting once every quarter.
“Business owners must have a more decisive voice in our deliberations, and each meeting must account for the decisions taken at the previous one,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of MSMEs in Nigeria, he noted that “the smallest shop on a Nigerian street may carry the weight of an entire household.’’
“Behind its counter are school fees, a parent’s medicine and an apprentice’s first chance at independence.
“Whenever that shop closes, the loss travels far beyond its owner. Whenever it grows, a little more of our country stands on its own feet,” he added.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Owan-Enoh, described MSMEs as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
He stressed the need for sustained government support to strengthen their contributions to national development.
“These are people who run businesses that we see every day. It goes beyond MSMEs being the engine room of the economy; they are the Nigerian economy,” he said.
Owan-Enoh commended Tinubu for recognising the strategic importance of manufacturing and small businesses.
“This is through the establishment of the Directorate of Manufacturing and MSME Sector Mobilisation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.
He urged stakeholders to acknowledge the administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
GIK/APA