Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared Ondo State a cornerstone in Nigeria’s economic development strategy, stressing that the nation’s economic transformation hinges on the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Speaking at the 7th edition of the Expanded National MSME Clinic tagged Ondo 2025, held at The Dome in Akure on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Shettima underscored the strategic importance of MSMEs in job creation, poverty reduction, and national prosperity.
The Vice President, who graced the event as Special Guest of Honour, emphasized that MSMEs account for more than 90 percent of jobs across the country and are indispensable to Nigeria’s economic growth agenda. He revealed that 65 businesses in Ondo State have already benefited from the Federal Government’s ₦75 billion MSME intervention fund, aimed at providing affordable financing for entrepreneurs.
Describing Ondo as the “Sunshine State with strategic importance,” Shettima highlighted the role of collaboration between government agencies and small businesses in building a resilient economy. As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Shettima also announced national economic revival projects, including the planting of 100 million oil palm trees and the revitalization of the cocoa industry, sectors in which Ondo State is historically prominent.
Commending Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for championing the MSME cause and infrastructure advancement, Shettima remarked, “The visible commitment of Ondo State to economic development is impressive. The progress here is evident and commendable.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa, in his speech, called the MSME Clinic a revolutionary step toward unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential through youth empowerment and entrepreneurship. Reiterating his administration’s dedication under the OUR EASE agenda, he pointed to the achievements of local MSMEs like Denki Wire and Cables Ltd and Kay Classic Fashion, both national award winners in manufacturing and fashion, as proof of the state’s economic vibrancy.
Highlighting state-level support initiatives, the governor revealed that over ₦220 million in interest-free loans had been disbursed through the Ondo State Micro-Credit Agency in 2024. He also spoke of the One Youth One Skill initiative and the establishment of Odatiwa Skills Development Enterprise Centres (OSDEC), including the state’s first mini shared facility. The Governor appealed for federal support to establish a Fashion Hub and an Oil Palm Processing Plant in Ondo to further scale productivity and enhance the value chain.
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Other dignitaries also weighed in on the significance of the MSME Clinic. Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State described it as a critical tool for small business growth and human capital development, urging greater support for locally made products. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, praised the empowerment of young entrepreneurs and encouraged stronger public-private partnerships to boost Nigerian-made goods.
Mr. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, emphasized the national impact of the clinic series and the value of connecting small businesses directly with regulatory bodies. Ondo Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, thanked the federal government for its unwavering support, while the SSA to the Governor on Youth Empowerment, Orioye Gbayisemore, disclosed that over 10,000 youths have benefited from various empowerment initiatives.
Earlier in the day, Vice President Shettima visited the Ondo State Council of Obas, where he engaged traditional rulers and solicited their continued support for the Tinubu administration’s economic and reform agenda as Nigeria looks ahead to the 2027 general elections.
This high-level event further cements Ondo State’s role as a powerhouse for Nigeria’s economic revitalization and reinforces the federal government’s commitment to empowering small businesses for sustainable national development.
