Nigeria will develop faster with thriving SME – P&G

A consumer goods manufacturing company, Procter & Gamble (P&G) Nigeria, has said that Nigeria could achieve a faster economic development under a viable and thriving Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) regime. Director of Global Government Relations for P&G, Temitope Iluyemi, said this in Lagos at the companysponsored SME Development Academy. The academy is a forum designed to train promising entrepreneurs, especially those from the disadvantaged backgrounds, in order to equip them to better contribute to the overall growth and development of the country. “The country can only develop better and survive economically under a thriving SME culture and we are delighted that we are able readto provide the necessary skill-set for these promising entrepreneurs at such a significant time,” she said.

She urged the entrepreneurs to hold on to their dreams as they have a key role to play in the overall development of the country. She also encouraged them to put into practise, the basic business management training and literacy skills that they were exposed to during the forum. Iluyemi, who confirmed P&G’s commitment to the development of SME in the country, said that was a company of leaders that has over the last five years empowered more than 300 SMEs with sustained training and development programmes. The programme, which was held at NECA House, Central Business District, Ikeja, Lagos, was in partnership with the Federal Government’s Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria (GWiN) and The Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN) programmes. The first edition of the Academy was held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on May 19, 2015. It had 150 youths and entrepreneurs in attendance.

In the Lagos edition, 150 upcoming businessmen and women were in attendance and they were taken through basic business management training and literacy skills needed to ensure success in the management of their businesses. Also commenting on the programme, Director of Policy and Partnerships, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), Dr. Chii Akporji, said: “One of the most interesting components that the initiative will offer is the actual ‘behind the scenes’ knowledge that our expert leaders are able to share with the entrepreneurs.”