A New Mandate —MSMEs, Digital Economy & the Future of Work
When I was reappointed as the Special Adviser to the Governor on MSMEs & Digital Economy, while retaining my role as Director General of the Enugu SME Center, it came with a renewed mission:
To build a digitally inclusive, economically vibrant, and innovation-driven Enugu.
Enugu State Government
In 2023, my portfolio expanded. I was appointed Special Adviser to the Governor on MSMEs and the Digital Economy, while continuing as DG of the Enugu SME Center.
Why this matters: the lines between technology, enterprise, and governance are blurring. I accepted this role because I’ve always believed that the future belongs to the bold—and that boldness must be backed by structure.
Digital & Tech Skills Development
- AltSchool Africa x Enugu SME Training Program: A 6-month hybrid tech bootcamp, subsidized by 75%, offering courses in frontend & backend web development. Over 1,000 youths are gaining hands-on experience with real-world tools like ReactJS, NodeJS, and MongoDB.
- 3MTT Enugu Cohort (Ongoing Partnership with FG): We’re training 30,000 Enugu youths in in-demand tech skills—software development, AI, data, product management, and more. Our vision is to make Enugu the Southeast’s digital talent capital.
- Microsoft & Meta x MTN Foundation ICT & Business Skills Program In partnership with Microsoft and Meta, 300 youths were trained in AI, branding, and digital entrepreneurship. 33 exceptional startups received a ₦90 million equipment grant to scale.
- Digital Literacy for Civil Servants & Teachers To digitize service delivery, over 4,000 civil servants and 10,000 teachers have been trained in Microsoft Office tools, data management, and ICT applications—thanks to FCDO, Tech4Dev, and Microsoft.
- Learnable Digital Bootcamp From HTML & Web 3 to advanced software dev, this tiered training gives students and jobseekers the foundational skills needed to access global tech opportunities.
Women & Youth Empowerment
- Transforming Nigerian Youth Program (TNYP – Enugu)
In collaboration with MasterCard Foundation and EDC, over 5,000 women entrepreneurs have been trained.- 65% grew their revenue
- 2,000+ received grants
- 75% adopted digital tools
- 85% of participants have sustainable operations
- Catch Them Young Bootcamp
Our CSR initiative introduces children aged 5–16 to tech, creativity, and entrepreneurial skills—laying the foundation for Enugu’s next generation of innovators.
MSME Support & Funding Initiatives
- NG-CARES Program (World Bank Funded)
- ₦60,000 grants disbursed to 10,000+ nanopreneurs
- 1,000 laptops distributed to enable digital operations
- BVN/NIN registration drive for 40,000 MSMEs to boost financial inclusion
- ₦1 Billion SMEDAN Joint Matching Fund In partnership with SMEDAN and Sterling Bank, we launched a ₦1B single-digit interest fund to strengthen nano, micro, and small businesses across Enugu State.
- Presidential Conditional Grant Program In partnership with FMITI, 18,244 nano-enterprises in all 17 LGAs received operational grants to sustain and grow their businesses.
Industrial Clusters & Infrastructure
- Enugu Fashion & Garment Hub We’re building a world-class textile manufacturing and training facility designed to train 15,000+ youths, generate over ₦500 million annually, and serve both government and private production contracts.
- Outsourcing & Innovation Hub (Old CCB Building)
We’re converting a 7-storey building into a tech and business outsourcing hub with floors dedicated to BPO, IT services, incubation, and Café One co-working. This will retain skilled talent, attract remote jobs, and grow Enugu’s GDP.
Startup & Innovation Ecosystem Growth
- Café One – Enugu Co-Working Partnership
Partnered with Sterling Bank to develop a modern innovation space that supports startups, provides mentorship, and facilitates ecosystem collaboration. - MSME Data Collection Across 17 LGAs
We launched an expansive ecosystem mapping project—understanding gaps, skills, innovation culture, and digital adoption across all LGAs. This informs smarter policies and interventions. - Skill Acquisition Masterclasses
From animation to startup scaling, these themed masterclasses have trained 1,000 creatives and tech entrepreneurs—positioning Enugu as a creative capital in the making.
Graduate Employability & Placement
- Enugu Fashion &aigeria Jubilee Fellows Program (NJFP – Enugu)
Through Enugu SME Center & Enugu Jobs, we facilitate year-long paid internships for fresh graduates, pairing them with host companies and boosting job readiness at scale. Garment Hub We’re building a world-class textile manufacturing and training facility designed to train 15,000+ youths, generate over ₦500 million annually, and serve both government and private production contracts.
