The Ogun State Government says the growth of Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) remains its top priority, describing it as engine and life of the economy. 

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela, when he hosted the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Ogun State Chapter, in his office, in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. 

Sofela said the present administration in the State is not just interested in further industrialising the Gateway State but ensuring the improvement in the operations of small and medium Enterprises which are known to be strategic in boosting the economy. 

He promised the leadership of the association that the State government would in the coming year conduct business clinics for SMEs owners in the three senatorisl districts to enhance their capacity, adding that the training would afford them opportunity to create platforms for how to better organise themselves into groups to access grants and fundings.

The Commissioner who was joined by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Oluyemisi Dawodu and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola,  also advised the NASSI team, which he said has about 100,000 membership strength to register their businesses on the government business registration portals to enable them access more opportunities to grow their trades.

"We will be engaging you on productive initiatives that affect SMEs. We are very much interested in your capacity building considering your importance as our strategic partners," he said.

The Commissioner who also played host to the team from the Technology Incubation Center (TIC), and a delegation from GB Africa Foods, promised that Prince Dapo Abiodun led government would continue to attract opportunities from relevant stakeholders to give a quantum leap to the operations and upgrade of businesses as a way of putting them on a global stage. 

In his remarks, the Chairman,  NASSI, Ogun State Chapter, Mr. Kayode Opesanmi, congratulated the State government for hosting a successful Breakfast Meeting with Chief Executive Officers of the Organised Private Sector, just as he pledged the support of his association to the government.