*โMade in Nigeria Projectโ group applauds VPโs commitment to sector
*Lists MSME Clinics, Survival Fund as successful interventions
The momentum built in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector by the Buhari administration in the last seven years must be maintained given its crucial position in the economy.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated this on Monday when he received members of the Made in Nigeria Project led by Mr Adedeji Alebiosu, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The group, representing a coalition of MSMEs in Nigeria, were at the Presidential Villa to commend the Federal Government and appreciate the Vice Presidentโs support for MSMEs in the country over the past 7 years.
According to Prof. Osinbajo โwe must be as determined as possible going forward in maintaining the momentum built over the years in the MSME space.
โHow we sustain the MSME Clinics, how it is institutionalized in a way that the incoming Vice Presidents or Presidents are obliged to pay close attention to whatever is happening in the sector, is very important.โ
The Vice President then assured MSME stakeholders in the country that โwe will make sure that we provide everything that is required to enable the incoming administration step into the positions that we have created in the MSME space. We are in a very good place.โ
Speaking about the Made in Nigeria concept and the need to develop local capacity, the Vice President said โwe must find where we fit in, in that value chain.
โIt is true that no economy can be entirely self-sustaining but it is important to emphasize that we have the capacity to do a lot in our country.
โWhat we need to do is to find our comparative advantage and develop capacity in the value chain around manufacturing of electric vehicles, arms manufacturing etc.โ
Continuing, the Vice President said โthere is a bigger challenge in manufacturing of items, creating jobs and wealth. So, we have got to think in terms of scale.
โThere is a lot of real and serious work that needs to be done. What should our approach be in terms of the value chain? We are a huge economy and a huge market.โ
โThe problem people have always faced is how to engage our massive population in a meaningful way because anything you do seems like a drop in an ocean due to the enormity of the problem,โ the VP added.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr Alebiosu praised Prof. Osinbajoโs personal commitment and support to the growth of small businesses in the country.
He acknowledged the contributions of the Vice President through key interventions supervised under his office, noting that they positively impacted small businesses in the space.
According to him, โinitiatives supervised by your office such as the MSME Clinics, the Survival Fund, and the MSME Awards, among others, have positively impacted many small businesses over the years.โ
He said โyou have done so much in the MSME space in the country, we have never had it so good, that is why we are here today, to show gratitude for the support the Federal Government has given to MSMEs in Nigeria.โ
Mr Alebiosu said the visit to the VP underscored the importance of collaboration and partnership in growing the MSME space in the country.
The Vice President was presented with an award of excellence by the group.
Members of the Made in Nigeria Project delegation include Director of Operations, Tosin Ashiru; Director of Special Projects, Samuel Adewale; Director of SME Engagement, Tola Ajayi and Director pf Partnerships, Destiny Enakhimion.
