41.5m MSMEs in our register, says BoI
About 41.5 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises operate in Nigeria, Bank of Industry (BoI) has said.
The Federal Government, through BoI, is set to inject N1 billion to support 1,000 MSMEs in Bauchi State.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, who was guest speaker at 2024 Global Convention of Ekiti State University Alumni Association, called for a review of curriculum of universities.
Speaking on: ‘Human Capital and Creativity as Pathway to Wealth Generation and National Development: Unlocking Potential for Prosperity,’ Olusi said MSMEs contributes 50 per cent to GDP.
He said MSMEs account for 76.5 per cent of employment in the country.
“In Nigeria, we have 41.5 million MSMEs contributing 50 per cent to GDP, account for 96 per cent of businesses, 76.5 per cent of employment and eight per cent to exports,” he said.
Olusi, however, noted that despite the vast human and natural resources, Nigeria and Africa has been unable to break through technologically, economically, etc. largely due to inability of its institutions to move from theories to practical.
He advocated massive investment in research that breeds technical expertise and not just theories.
To promote a rigorous academic culture, the Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University Prof Joseph Ayodele called on privileged alumni to invest in the schools where they were molded and imparted
Citing the example his Senate leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, who he said has graciously donated a medical student hostel and a 2km asphalt laid road to the university which have been commissioned, he also said the FM radio station donated by Bamidele will soon be completed and commissioned, while the construction of a 500 capacity ICT center is ongoing in the university.
The Senate leader, he also said is currently working on another batch of medical students hostel which is also under construction.
He said the projects are graciously facilitated by the leadership of the EKSU alumni association.
“Our university, the best state university in Nigeria according to the latest ranking by times higher education needs to improve on its present state of performance in the key areas of teaching, research and community services. We are poised to leverage the quality of our staff to take EKSU to a higher level of greatness.
“It behoves on all member of the EKSU alumni association to continue to support the university. We assure you of our readiness to continue to accord the alumni association the much desired recognition.
“We are equally ready to provide the enabling environment to enable the alumni association and all benefactors and critical stakeholders to successfully implement their progressive initiatives that will make our university an enviable center of academic excellence and a marketable brand to be patronized,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, the Chancellor of the institution, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe said alumni association should be development focused.
Global President, Ekiti State University Alumi Association, Dipo Bamisaye, urged tertiary institutions to always strive for excellence.
The Chairman Board of Trustees of Ekiti State University, Dr. Wale Jegede commended the state governor, for appointing competent academics to manage the institution.
The event featured presentation of awards to alumnis of the EKSU who have contributed to the advancement of the school including Senator Bamide, a former presidential aide, Mr Kingsley Kuku, Dr. Olowolafe, and Prof Ayodele among others.
Speaking in Bauchi yesterday, BoI Project Officer Kabir Saidu Musa said the application process is open, allowing entrepreneurs to apply online for up to N1 million in funding at https://fgnboimsmeintervention.boi.ng.
Musa noted that, in addition to this loan, the government previously provided a N50,000 grant to beneficiaries across Bauchi’s 20 local councils.
He explained that qualifying SMEs were selected by the bank’s local representative working with the state government.
“For the FGN Intervention that is currently ongoing, applications are entirely online. Once successfully submitted, applicants will be redirected to our office for verification. We may reach out, visit the business, and make recommendations for final approval,” Musa said.
He outlined that the loan terms include a three-year repayment period with a six-month grace period and a nine percent interest rate.
Bauchi representative of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Abdulrasheed Aliyu, said the agency is offering business development services and workshops to loan recipients.
He added that training is intended to help beneficiaries use the funds as intended and prevent misuse.
