The Oyo State Government and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in the state.
The pledge was made on Friday in Ibadan during a send-off ceremony for participants of a 90-day intensive training workshop on waste-to-wealth innovation organised by the recycling firm, Planet 3R.
The participants, who formed Cohort 4 of the Transform West Africa Project 2025, were trained in areas such as waste washing, weaving techniques, bobbin/warping, slegy/drafting/denting, gaiting and shedding, sewing, product design, and beaming.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chairman of Egbeda Local Government Area, Ibrahim Oladebo, said the present administration in Oyo State—particularly in Egbeda LGA—is paying close attention to SMEs owned by women entrepreneurs as part of its mission to promote job creation, rural industrialisation, and livelihood enhancement.
Oladebo emphasised that the government remains dedicated to empowering women and youths in Egbeda by ensuring they receive adequate support and recognition for their creativity.
He added that the local government would recognise the best graduating participant from the programme and provide them with tools and resources to expand their impact and achieve personal growth.
Also speaking, the Oyo State Manager of SMEDAN, Mrs. Yetunde Ojogbede, congratulated members of Cohort 4 and encouraged them to dream big despite humble beginnings.
Ojogbede noted that SMEDAN is committed to the prosperity of entrepreneurs in Oyo State, saying, “We are convinced that when each of you prospers from Oyo State, so does Nigeria.”
She disclosed that SMEDAN has introduced a new initiative that offers Nigerian entrepreneurs the opportunity to win grants of up to ₦20 million as part of its annual pitch competition, for which applications open in October 2025.
“As the agency responsible for helping nano businesses transition to micro, micro to small, and small to medium, we understand the importance of entrepreneurial skills,” Ojogbede stated. “We want to reassure SMEs that we are #HereForProsperity — their prosperity.”
The Creative Director of Planet 3R, Miss Adejoke Lasisi, advised participants to start small, stressing that gradual growth builds a strong foundation.
“This approach helps you focus on solving a specific need and validating your business idea, even if it begins with a simple product or service,” she said.
The Planet 3R Waste-to-Wealth 90-Day Intensive Training Workshop under the Transform West Africa Project 2025 was sponsored by Unilever Plc, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and EY.
Participants, including Fasilat Yusuf Ajoke from Kwara State and Ifeoluwa Owolabi from Niger State, described the programme as transformative and empowering.
