Nigeria will develop faster under a thriving SME Culture – P&G

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Nigeria, a leading consumer goods manufacturing company has said that Nigeria can achieve faster economic development under a viable and thriving Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) regime.

Temitope Iluyemi, director, Global Government Relations for P&G said this in Lagos at the company-sponsored SME Development Academy, 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.

In her words:  “The country can only develop better and survive economically under a thriving SME culture and we are delighted that we are able to provide the necessary skill-set for these promising entrepreneurs at such a significant time.”

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 practice, the basic business management training and literacy skills that they were exposed to during the forum.

Iluyemi confirmed P&G’s commitment to the development of SME in the country saying that it is a company of leaders that has over the last 5 years empowered more than 300 SMEs with sustained training and development programs.”

The program, 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 (GWiN) and The Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN) programs.

The first edition of the Academy held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory on May 19, 2015. It had a total number of 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 program, Chii Akporji, director of Policy and Partnerships, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) stated that “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.”

Yemi Bello, program Lead YouWiN, said; “SMEs are the growth engine of any nation and for markets and economies to thrive, the success of SMEs is very critical. Partnering with manufacturing giants, Procter & Gamble, to extend this form of development program to the Federal Government’s YouWiN and GWiN awardees, will provide the necessary skills to become future leaders of their respective industries.”