Rural Industrialisation: Charles Odii Engages Delta LG Chairmen on MSME Expansion

By Michael Odiah

ABUJA — The Chief Executive Officer of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii, has hosted Local Government Chairmen from Delta State at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja for a strategic engagement on rural industrialisation, enterprise development and job creation.

The delegation, led by the Delta State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Isaiah Onoriode Esiovwa, met with the SMEDAN CEO to explore stronger collaboration in expanding opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Delta State.

The discussions centred on leveraging local government structures to drive grassroots industrialisation, stimulate rural economies and improve community access to enterprise development programmes.

Mr. Odii reiterated SMEDAN’s commitment to building partnerships that empower MSMEs, create sustainable jobs and unlock the productive potential of communities. He said the agency’s efforts align with the Renewed Hope agenda’s vision of creating opportunities where “a son of a nobody can become somebody,” while stressing that local governments remain critical partners in translating national initiatives into tangible benefits at the grassroots.

The engagement underscores SMEDAN’s continued push to deepen collaboration with sub-national stakeholders in driving inclusive economic growth and enterprise development across Nigeria.

The meeting concluded with a guided tour of SMEDAN’s facilities, where the Delta delegation was taken through the agency’s operational and innovation hubs designed to support entrepreneurs and MSMEs. It ended with a vote of thanks expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what participants described as his administration’s deliberate efforts to create an enabling environment for small businesses to thrive despite global inflationary pressures, as well as its continued support for economic growth and enterprise development at all levels.