Business and brand experts, entrepreneurs, human resource specialists and business coaches have cautioned governments at all levels not to allow their policies to kill Small and Medium-Scale enterprises (SMEs), saying public policies should encourage small businesses to survive to build a virile economy.

The experts, including a business coach, Dr Tinu Smith;  a brand expert, Mrs. Chisom Mabia; a businessman, Mr Soji Awofesobi; a human resource specialist, Omolola Oluwole, and others, argued that SMEs drive the economy.

They made the call during the Ibadan Urban Fashion Weekend 2025, which took in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Smith, the CEO of Datina Design, was a panelist at the event.  Speaking on the theme: ‘’Promoting   Growth of Fashion in Africa’’,  the business coach  said  governments  needed  to come up with a lot of policies that would encourage entrepreneurs to keep their business going. She lamented that a lot of businesses are struggling, adding that government policies should not stifle businesses.

Smith said: ‘’ This programme is about showing the younger generation  to help maintain the fashion industry in Nigeria. It is about how we can grow the industry, empower the younger ones and ensure that what we do here goes global as well as  moves our products to the global stage.

‘’On the policy side, the government is trying, because I have been a recipient of grants and opportunities from the federal government as well as  benefits from the state government and support for my business. But there are still a lot of gaps. A lot of businesses are struggling.Their policies should not stifle businesses.  They need to come  up with different initiatives for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs  are the future of the country. They are the employers of labour. The government needs to come up with a lot of policies that would encourage entrepreneurs to keep their business afloat’.

Awofesobi, the convener of the event, urged governments to create a conducive  environment for SMEs to thrive and provide soft loans as well as  more support for the young adults who are into small enterprises.

The convener said: ‘’ We are looking at showing Ibadan fashion designers to the world, giving them a form of branding and marketing their products. It is putting Ibadan and Oyo State in the limelight of global tourism and culture when it comes to fashion. The fashion industry has huge potential. It is about 31 billion dollars in Africa. We have not really tapped into that. We can actually do that with this kind of showcase, exhibition, collaboration and bringing more talents. There are many amazing and talented fashion designers here.  It will be a big win for every one if we can have a platform that will showcase them to the world.

 ‘’We are, however,  appealing to the governments  to give more support to enterprises like this. The governments should create a conducive environment for young SMEs to thrive , and provide soft loans for the young adults to stand on their own. That will be a good thing for the youths of the country’’.

On her part,  Oluwale, who spoke on the theme: ‘’ Having a Proper Business Plan’’, said a good business blueprint would  attract investors, angel investors,  equity holders, financiers, and the right  talents. The business developer, however, pointed out that policies are pivotal to the survival of businesses in Nigeria.  She, therefore, called for business-friendly policies.

Oluwale said: ‘’I must say that policies are pivotal in the sustainability of businesses. Therefore, governments must evolve and encourage policies that are sustainable . We should not encourage policies that will be detrimental to the sustainability of businesses, especially young enterprises trying to grow. Policies should not stifle businesses.  Let the government develop policies that will enable entrepreneurs to turn challenges to solutions. The onus is on the government to provide the enabling environment for young businesses to thrive’’.

Mabia, who spoke on the theme: ‘’Role of Mentorship in the Journey of an Entrepreneur’’, urged the participants to seek mentors and role models in their line of business.

Another panelist, Motolani Akintayo, a  clinical psychologist, and mental expert, who spoke on the theme: ‘’Brand Owners and Mental Health’’, called on business owners to prioritise  their health. Akintayo pointed out that mental health had effects on productivity, output, and creativity.

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