Governor pledges six-month mentorship for entrepreneurs, unveils N5.5bn MSME Fund
Katsina Times
Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of a non-repayable grant of ₦250,000 for each outstanding Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) exhibiting at the 9th Expanded National MSME Clinic held in Katsina on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, which took place at the Continental Events and Sports Complex, Katsina, Shettima said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to empowering small businesses and dismantling barriers that have long hindered enterprise growth in Nigeria.
He disclosed that over 39,000 MSMEs in Katsina State have benefitted from federal intervention programmes, receiving approximately ₦2.5 billion, while 23 rural enterprises accessed more than ₦112 million through the Rural Area Programme on Investment for Development.
“President Tinubu has never backed down from creating an enabling environment for Nigerian MSMEs. This ₦250,000 grant is a demonstration of his commitment to removing obstacles that limit our entrepreneurs,” the Vice President said.
Shettima further revealed that the Federal Government has launched a ₦75 billion MSME Intervention Fund through the Bank of Industry, offering loans of up to ₦5 million at a 9% annual interest rate to 75,000 MSMEs nationwide. In addition, he said, the ₦50 billion Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme will provide ₦50,000 each to one million nano businesses across the country’s 774 local government areas.
The Vice President commended Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, for his visionary leadership in establishing the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), which he described as “a model for enterprise development in Northern Nigeria.”
In his address, Governor Radda announced a six-month post-event mentorship programme for all entrepreneurs who participated in the MSME Clinic. He said that since 2023, over 100,000 beneficiaries across Katsina’s 34 local governments have received various forms of support through KASEDA.
The governor disclosed that the state has created a ₦5.5 billion MSME Fund, with ₦1 billion already disbursed to 701 businesses.
“This clinic will stand out from all others,” Radda said. “I have directed KASEDA to collaborate with SMEDAN, BOI, NITDA, NEPC, SON, FIRS, and CAC to provide post-event support to every registered participant. The clinic does not end today.”
He added that all participating entrepreneurs will be enrolled in a business-tracking programme to ensure continuous access to finance, certification, and capacity-building opportunities.
Radda also highlighted his administration’s achievements in enterprise development, including the completion of an MSME census and cluster mapping, the creation of a state MSME policy with a five-year strategic plan, and the establishment of common facility centres in the fashion, leather, and food processing sectors. Over 1,500 youths have also been trained under the NATA-MASP apprenticeship programme, he said.
According to Shettima, Katsina is home to more than 1.7 million MSMEs operating across diverse sectors such as agriculture, trade, crafts, and digital industries. He noted the strong participation of women and youth as a sign of inclusive economic growth.
He also recalled the launch of the ₦5 billion Katsina State MSME Growth Fund in June 2024, jointly initiated by the federal and state governments. So far, ₦576 million has been disbursed to 237 beneficiaries under the scheme.
Shettima emphasized that the Expanded MSME Clinic aims to bring government support directly to entrepreneurs, enabling them to interact with financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and support organizations for on-the-spot solutions to business challenges.
Governor Radda thanked Vice President Shettima for extending his stay in Katsina to attend both the 1st Katsina MSME Awards and the Dikko Social Innovation Academy Graduation Ceremony.
Deputy Governor Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe lauded the Vice President’s humility and commitment to youth empowerment, while KASEDA’s Director-General, Hajiya Aisha Aminu, described the event — which coincided with the agency’s second anniversary — as “a perfect gift that reflects our shared passion for MSME development.”
Over 500 exhibitors, along with federal ministers, agency heads, and industry leaders, participated in the clinic.
Among dignitaries in attendance were the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arch. Ahmed Dangiwa; Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hon. Hannatu Musawa; Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura; former Governors Shehu Shema and Aminu Bello Masari; and top federal and state officials.
