The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has sought a strategic partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to promote Made-in-Nigeria products, empower young Nigerians with entrepreneurial skills, and strengthen efforts against cybercrime.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, made the proposal on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Odii praised Olukoyede for what he described as his efforts in restoring confidence in Nigeria’s image, particularly in the international community.
> “Executive Chairman, I want to thank you. I want to start with gratitude. I want to thank you for the work that you have done in the last 34 months. You have tried to change the face of Nigeria outside Nigeria. So, with that, I want to thank you, and thank you for instituting confidence and trust again in Nigeria,” he said.
The SMEDAN boss explained that the agency was implementing programmes aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical skills and transforming them into successful entrepreneurs.
He revealed that the Federal Ministry of Education had approved the establishment of the Inspire, Create, Start and Scale (ICSS) Institute, which will offer National Diploma programmes while integrating entrepreneurship into academic training.
According to him, the institute is designed to produce competent entrepreneurs capable of driving Nigeria’s small business sector.
Odii also highlighted SMEDAN’s rehabilitation programme for prison inmates nearing the end of their sentences, noting that beneficiaries receive vocational training to ease their reintegration into society.
He disclosed that the agency’s proposed National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Policy recommends that businesses employ reformed ex-inmates who have acquired skills.
> “When we go into prisons, people that have six months to be released into society, we train them, and we give them skills. This project has been life-changing. We have put in that policy that anyone who has gone to prison, who is apologetic, and lacks skills, small businesses in Nigeria should employ them,” Odii said.
The SMEDAN DG further proposed collaboration with the EFCC’s Cybersecurity Research and Training Centre by integrating the agency’s entrepreneurship curriculum into the centre’s training programmes.
He also called for joint efforts to rehabilitate young people involved in cybercrime through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship initiatives that would support their return to productive livelihoods.
Responding, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede welcomed the proposals and pledged the Commission’s support for initiatives promoting local products, youth entrepreneurship, skills development and cybercrime prevention.
> “I have been following your activities. And I’m very proud of you. You are one of the young men that we look up to,” Olukoyede told the SMEDAN DG.
He stressed that creating legitimate economic opportunities for young Nigerians remains one of the most effective ways to reduce cybercrime.
> “I’m interested in anything that will help to develop skills for young men. Because that is one of the challenges I have,” he said.
Olukoyede also urged Nigerians, including EFCC staff, to patronise locally manufactured goods, insisting that supporting indigenous businesses would strengthen the nation’s economy.
> “Those of you buying things in my office, henceforth, patronize this. We need to support them. It is when these businesses grow that we can grow our own nation too,” he said.
The EFCC Chairman further advocated a national policy that would encourage the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products to boost local production.
He warned that cybercrime continues to inflict enormous damage on Nigeria’s economy and global reputation.
> “The evil these guys are doing to the image of Nigeria, to our economy is unquantifiable. Some of these guys, at the press of a button, they can bring the entire financial ecosystem down,” Olukoyede said.
He disclosed that the EFCC’s Cybersecurity Research and Training Centre would train about 500 participants per intake and invited SMEDAN to participate in the project’s development and implementation.
Olukoyede also assured the agency of the Commission’s full support for its ICSS initiative and other youth-focused programmes.
> “I’m with you. We’re going to support you. Your ICSS project too. Let me know if there’s any area where we can support you,” he added.
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