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By Damiete Braide
The European Union (EU), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and a leading capacity development and innovation organisation, NerdzFactory Company have jointly trained over 4,000 MSME owners in Nigeria.
The project was geared towards strengthening Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across seven states in the country, which are Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Kano, Kebbi, Kwara, and Lagos.
The beneficiaries were trained in cluster groups during the second phase of NerdzFactory Company’s programme: ‘Enhancing the Capabilities of Cluster-Based Support for Improved Resilience and Growth Project, held in Lagos.
The training focused on critical areas, such as business management, financial literacy, and digital tools, including WhatsApp Business and Google Business Profile.
The skills were designed to improve operational efficiency, enhance market reach, and build resilience against economic challenges.
The initiative also provided direct financial support, with 12,496 MSMEs receiving grants of ₦100,000 each to address immediate operational needs.
According to the programme’s evaluation, 95 per cent of the beneficiaries reported improved business management skills, while 31 per cent announced enhanced resilience to economic shocks.
Key partners for the programmr included the CLEEN Foundation, which supported 66 MSMEs, and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), which assisted 49. The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) supported 188 businesses, while the MADAFA Women’s Cooperative in Kano State worked with 197. Project Enable Africa helped 56 businesses, and other hubs across various states supported a total of 834 MSMEs.
Founding Partner at NerdzFactory, Ademulegun Olowojoba, in his address, underscored the importance of empowering MSMEs for economic development.
“This initiative has reinforced the potential of MSMEs as drivers of economic growth in Nigeria. By addressing their core challenges and equipping them with the tools to thrive, we have laid the foundation for sustainable and inclusive development in local communities,” he said.
The UNDP representative, Joyce Oboro, lauded the initiative’s impact during a visit to Bayelsa State.
“This initiative, sponsored by the European Union, aims to mitigate the impact of current socio-economic challenges by empowering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises across various sectors,” she noted.
