GENEVA/Switzerland: In a significant move to deepen Nigeria’s economic integration into the global marketplace, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii, has held high-level talks with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The strategic meeting, held on Tuesday, brought together two key figures at the forefront of economic policy and enterprise development, with a focus on strengthening global partnerships and expanding opportunities for Nigerian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
At the centre of the engagement was a shared commitment to reposition Nigeria’s SME sector, widely regarded as the backbone of the nation’s economy, by addressing structural challenges and enhancing competitiveness on the global stage.
Discussions explored practical pathways to dismantle growth constraints, facilitate access to international markets, and align Nigerian businesses with global trade standards, with both leaders emphasizing the need for deliberate policies that support enterprise expansion.
Odii, who underscored the resilience and potential of Nigerian entrepreneurs, noted that sustainable growth would be driven by creating an enabling environment where innovation thrives and effort is rewarded.
“This is about building a system where innovation is supported, effort is rewarded, and every Nigerian entrepreneur has a fair opportunity to succeed,” he said.
Both parties also examined strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s value chains, from local production to international distribution, in a bid to ensure that Nigerian businesses are not only participants in global trade but active contributors shaping its direction.
The meeting comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to leverage its youthful population and entrepreneurial energy to drive inclusive economic growth, with increasing emphasis on policy coordination, institutional support, and international collaboration.
Observers say the engagement signals a renewed push by the Federal Government to position Nigerian SMEs for global relevance, as the country continues to navigate evolving trade dynamics and pursue sustainable economic expansion.
