Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship Development (Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy), Ms Chalya Shagaya, has revealed that the federal government under President Bola Tinubu is focused on building a $1 trillion economy.
Shagaya, who spoke during a two-day conference organised by UNIZIK Centre for Capital Market Studies, UCCMS, described MSMEs as the engine room of national growth.
The conference, which was attended by operators of small and medium enterprises, was held under the theme: Harnessing Capital Market Opportunities for SME Growth and Investment Sustainability.
Shagaya said: “Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government is fully focused on building a one trillion-dollar economy, not by magic, but by enterprise, productivity, and innovation.
“Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, MSMEs are not just an afterthought; they are at the centre of national growth. The President understands that when our small businesses thrive, Nigeria thrives. The plan is simple: help entrepreneurs access finance, create enabling environments, and give you the digital and physical infrastructure to scale.”
She added that some policies and institutional actions have recently been activated to help MSMEs access funds for their businesses. She listed them as including strengthening the partnerships between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, to ensure SMEs can raise long-term capital, and developing a National Franchising Policy, among others.
She said: “We encourage MSMEs to approach the NGX to explore a range of these opportunities. This is also in addition to the opportunities that are equally on offer by the Bank of Industry.
“The capital market is not just for billionaires; it is a bridge. It connects small business owners with investors, long-term funding, and growth opportunities.
“We are also integrating sustainability principles so businesses can grow responsibly. Profit is great, but we are after something deeper: profit with purpose.”
Earlier, the Director of UNIZIK Centre for Capital Market Studies, UCCMS, Professor Chinedu Onyeizugbe, described the conference as a gathering of policymakers, academics, regulators, investors, and entrepreneurs, marking a significant milestone in the collective effort to reposition the Nigerian economy through sustainable enterprise and capital market participation.
He said: “Globally, SMEs are the bedrock of economic growth, creating jobs, driving innovation, and promoting inclusive prosperity.
“This conference seeks to address that gap by exploring how the capital market can become a catalyst for SME expansion, business innovation, and long-term economic sustainability.
“UNIZIK Centre for Capital Market Studies is poised and has been positioned to take the lead in collaboration with Securities and Exchange Commission, SMEDAN, and other relevant institutions and organisations that may be willing to salvage the situation.”
