SMEDAN Tasks ACE Trainers to Raise Globally Competitive Entrepreneurs

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has urged trainers under the Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE) project to develop globally competitive entrepreneurs.
The Director General of SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii, gave the charge at the commencement of the ACE project’s two-week Training of Trainers programme in Abuja.
Odii was represented by the Director, DG’s Office, Mr Onesi-Lawani, said the trainers should become catalysts for nurturing innovative, technology-driven entrepreneurs capable of building scalable businesses and attracting investment.
He said the application process attracted more than 1,100 applicants nationwide, adding that the Project Management Consortium shortlisted 80 candidates in Business Management and Artificial Intelligence before selecting 30 participants after interviews.
According to him, the successful participants will become ACE-certified trainers equipped to mentor young Nigerians with innovative ideas and entrepreneurial potential.
He noted that Nigeria had abundant funding opportunities, but lacked sufficient investment-ready businesses capable of attracting available capital.
He therefore urged participants to groom entrepreneurs capable of building globally competitive enterprises that would create jobs and drive economic growth.
Odii identified Fintech, Agritech, Healthtech, Logistics, Mobility and the Creative Economy as sectors offering significant opportunities for entrepreneurs.
He said the creative economy includes digital media, fashion, gaming, animation and film.
The SMEDAN director general also said that Nigeria remained Africa’s leading startup destination, hosting five of the continent’s eight unicorn companies.
He urged the trainers to support young Nigerians in building billion-dollar businesses and advancing Nigeria’s aspiration of becoming one of the world’s top 10 economies.
He expressed confidence that the training would strengthen participants’ commitment to deepening entrepreneurship development and innovation across the country.
The ACE Project is a SMEDAN initiative implemented in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The project promotes entrepreneurship education, digital innovation, business incubation, institutional capacity development and policy support.
It also seeks to equip young Nigerians with skills, mentorship and networks needed to build scalable and globally competitive enterprises.