The Oyo State government and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, (SMEDAN), have pledged their increased support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in Oyo State.
This pledge was made today in Ibadan during a send-off ceremony for participants in a 90 days intensive training workshop on waste to wealth initiative organised by a recycling firm, Planet 3R.
The participants, who are part of the Cohort-4, for the Transform West Africa Project 2025, were introduced to Washing of waste products, Weaving techniques, Bobbins/Warping process, Slegy/Drafting/Denting practice, Gaiting and Shedding, Sowing practical, Product design, Beaming.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chairman, Egbeda Local Government area, Hon. Ibrahim Oladebo said the present administration in Oyo state, particularly Egbeda LGA is paying keen attention to SMEs owned by female entrepreneurs, towards achieving its mission of job creation, rural industrialization, and livelihood enhancement.
Oladebo emphasized that government is dedicated to the empowerment of women and youths in Egbeda, ensuring that they get deserved support and recognition for their creativity.
He added that the Local government will spotlight the best graduating student of the initiative and provide them with the tools and resources to create more impact, and achieve personal progress.
Also speaking at the event, the Oyo state Manager, SMEDAN, Mrs. Yetunde Ojogbede congratulated the COHORT 4 of the Waste to wealth initiative.
She encouraged them to have big dreams, despite their small starts.
Ojogbede added that SMEDAN is committed to the prosperity of every businessperson in Oyo State.
“We are convinced that when the each of you prosper from Oyo state, so does Nigeria.” he said.
She said SMEDAN has a new initiative offering Nigerian entrepreneurs the chance to win grants of up to N20 million.
Ojogbede said the funding is part of the agency’s annual pitch competition, which applications open for in October 2025.
She said “As the agency responsible for the transition of nano businesses into micro, micro into small, and small into medium, we understand the importance of entrepreneurial skills.”
“We want to clearly communicate our purpose, strengthen our bond with the entities that we serve, and the local and international stakeholders we collaborate with for success. More importantly, we want to reassure SMEs that we are #HereForProsperity, their prosperity.”
The Creative Director, Planet 3R, Miss Adejoke Lasisi advised the participants to start small, adding that it is crucial for their success.
Her words, “This approach will help you build a strong foundation by focusing on solving a specific need and validating the business idea, even if it begins with a simple product or service.”
The Planet 3R 90 days intensive training workshop on waste to wealth for Transform West Africa Project 2025 was sponsored by Unilever Plc, OK’S Foreign Commonwealth and Development office, and EY.
Some of the participants, Fasilat Yusuf Ajoke from Kwara State and Ifeoluwa Owolabi from Niger State, said the initiative is a transformative project.
