Vice President Kashima Shettima on Tuesday said that more than 39,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have received approximately N2.5 billion in Federal Government interventions under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

The vice president, who disclosed this at the Continental Events & Sports Complex in Katsina, also stated that 23 rural enterprises had accessed over N112 million under the Rural Area Programme on Investment for Development in the state.

Shettima, who is in the state for a two-day official visit, further announced that President Tinubu has approved an unconditional grant of N250,000 for each outstanding MSME exhibiting at the 9th Expanded National MSME Clinic, held in Katsina on Tuesday.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never backed down from creating a conducive environment for Nigerian MSMEs. This N250,000 grant is non-repayable and demonstrates our commitment to removing barriers that have historically held back our enterprises,” Shettima stated.

He revealed that the federal government has launched a N75 billion MSME Intervention Fund through the Bank of Industry, providing up to N5 million in loans to 75,000 MSMEs nationwide at an annual interest rate of nine per cent, alongside a N50 billion Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme supporting one million nano businesses with N50,000 each across 774 local governments.

The vice president stated that Katsina is home to over 1.7 million MSMEs operating in clusters that encompass agriculture, trade, crafts, services, and digital industries, with strong participation by women and youth, demonstrating inclusive prosperity.

He said that the federal government and the Katsina State Government had jointly launched a N5 billion Katsina State MSME Growth Fund in June 2024, which has disbursed over N576 million to 237 beneficiaries.

He said the Expanded MSME Clinic brings government closer to small businesses, allowing them to engage directly with regulatory agencies, financial institutions, including Bank of Industry, Access Bank, and Wema Bank, and support organisations like CAC, NAFDAC, and SMEDAN for on-the-spot solutions.

He called on partner agencies to go beyond providing solutions by ensuring continuous guidance and follow-up with entrepreneurs.

The vice president also commended Governor Dikko Radda for establishing the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), describing the initiative as proof that the governor is committed to building small enterprises into national and global brands.

On his part, Governor Radda announced a six-month post-event mentorship programme for all entrepreneurs participating in the clinic, revealing that over 100,000 beneficiaries across the state’s 34 local governments have received support through KASEDA since 2023.

He disclosed that the state has established a N5.5 billion MSME fund, with over N1 billion already disbursed to 701 businesses, making the state a model for enterprise development in northern Nigeria.

“This clinic will stand out from all others. I have directed KASEDA to work with SMEDAN, BOI, NITDA, NEPC, SON, FIRS, and CAC to provide post-event support to every registered participant. The clinic does not end today,” Radda said.

He announced that every entrepreneur will be enrolled in a six-month business tracking programme, receive continued support in access to finance and certification, have their data integrated into the KASEDA MSME Portal, and participate in targeted capacity-building sessions.

The governor said his administration has completed an MSME census and cluster mapping, developed a state MSME policy with a five-year strategic plan, established common facility centres in fashion, leather, and food processing, and trained 1,500 youth under the NATA-MASP apprenticeship programme.

He commended the vice president for extending his stay in Katsina to personally grace the 1st Katsina MSME Awards and the Dikko Social Innovation Academy Graduation Ceremony.