Social media influencer and business strategist, Amaechi Loretta Omijeh, has underscored the need for greater support for small businesses in Nigeria, stressing that empowering young entrepreneurs is vital for national development and productivity.

Omijeh, a graduate of Economics from Lagos State University and currently studying Global Business Management at the Ontario College of Business and Technology, said the dominance of established brands in the business space often overshadows the struggles and potential of emerging ventures.

Speaking recently, the Scream Awards 2023 Business Blogger of the Year said her motivation stems from witnessing the resilience and success of small businesses. She noted that creating a lasting impact and helping others grow remain central to her mission.

“There is a pressing need to support small businesses, especially those run by young women. Empowerment in the right direction will build and help small businesses,” she said.

Omijeh expressed concern over the lack of employment opportunities for young people and the consequent dip in productivity within Nigeria’s entrepreneurial sector. She described it as a fundamental barrier to the nation’s economic growth.

While acknowledging the challenges facing entrepreneurs in Nigeria, she called for the introduction of structured support systems and enabling environments similar to those available in more advanced economies.

Her experiences shuttling between Nigeria and Canada, she said, have exposed her to successful business models and practices that could be adapted to local conditions back home. Through her platform, she continues to promote and amplify the visibility of small-scale businesses, particularly those led by young women, helping them reach broader audiences.

Her work has not gone unnoticed. Omijeh is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, having bagged four major honours in recent years, including the Young Entrepreneurs Award for Enterprising Youth of the Year and an Award of Excellence at the Scream All Youth Awards 2024.

As she pushes ahead with her vision to build a supportive entrepreneurial community, her efforts serve as an inspiration to young Nigerians seeking to build sustainable businesses from the ground up.