By Taibat Ummi Yakubu

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have begun discussions on a strategic partnership aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs with business, financial and cybersecurity skills needed to thrive in Nigeria’s evolving economy.

The proposed collaboration emerged following a meeting between SMEDAN Director-General, Charles Odii, and EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in Abuja, where both agencies agreed on the need for stronger institutional cooperation to support youth development and promote responsible entrepreneurship.

According to Odii, the partnership will focus on critical areas including cybersecurity awareness, financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, capacity development and ethical business practices.

He noted that empowering young Nigerians goes beyond providing access to funding or business opportunities, stressing that sustainable success requires a combination of skills acquisition, mentorship, digital competence, financial knowledge and a strong understanding of responsible enterprise management.

The SMEDAN boss said collaborations among government institutions remain essential to achieving the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in addressing the aspirations and challenges of Nigeria’s growing youth population.

He explained that a coordinated approach would ensure that young people are equipped not only to start businesses but also to manage and grow them successfully in an increasingly technology-driven environment.

Speaking during the meeting, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede praised SMEDAN’s efforts in promoting entrepreneurship among young Nigerians, describing the agency’s interventions as important steps towards building a productive and innovative generation.

According to him, providing young people with practical skills and economic opportunities is one of the most effective ways to discourage involvement in activities that could damage both individual futures and the nation’s reputation.

As part of the planned partnership, the two agencies agreed to deepen cooperation through knowledge sharing, joint training programmes and capacity-building initiatives targeted at entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners.

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One of the key areas under consideration is the integration of relevant aspects of SMEDAN’s Inspire, Create, Start and Scale (ICSS) curriculum into EFCC’s cybersecurity training programmes.

The initiative is expected to expose young entrepreneurs to practical knowledge on digital security, online business protection and the responsible use of technology in business operations.

The agencies also agreed to explore opportunities for EFCC officials to participate in selected SMEDAN training programmes, where they would educate participants on cybersecurity risks, financial responsibility and compliance with existing laws and regulations.

Olukoyede said the collaboration would help bridge the gap between enterprise development and financial crime prevention by ensuring that entrepreneurs understand both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with running modern businesses.

He noted that many small businesses now operate in a digital environment where cyber threats, online fraud and financial misconduct can have serious consequences if entrepreneurs are not adequately informed.

According to him, strengthening awareness in these areas would not only protect businesses but also contribute to building a healthier and more trustworthy business ecosystem.

The proposed partnership is expected to provide young Nigerians with the knowledge and tools required to establish sustainable enterprises, navigate the digital economy safely and adopt ethical business practices from the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey.