President Bola Tinubu has authorized the formation of an oversight committee to manage Nigeria’s hosting of the 4th African Union MSME Forum, set for June 23-27 in Abuja.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), announced this in Abuja on Wednesday. The 2025 Forum’s theme is “Building Resilient MSMEs through Digital Innovation, Market Access & Affordable Financing for Africa.”
The committee will focus on effective planning to ensure the event’s success, including activities like paper presentations, panel discussions, sponsored side events, exhibitions, networking, MSME business pitching, and awarding prizes to outstanding Nigerian entrepreneurs.
The committee chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, has the following as members: Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; Art, Culture, Tourism & The Creative Economy, Hon. Hannatu Musawa; and Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh will serve as members.
Other members of the committee include Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nonye Ayeni; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Rimi; MD of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi; Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; MD/CEO of NEXIM BANK, Abba Bello; DG of SMEDAN, Charles Odii; President of NACCIMA, Dele Kelvin Oye (Esq.); and Deputy Director of the African Union Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anthony Alonwu.
Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Office of the Vice President, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, will serve as the host country coordinator and secretary of the committee.
The AU MSME Forum, launched by the African Union Commission (AUC) as an annual event, aims to empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, foster intra-African value chains, and enhance regional trade.
Hosting rights rotate among African member countries, with Egypt, Ethiopia, and Namibia having hosted the first three editions since the forum began in 2022.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Nigeria’s hosting of the 4th AU MSME Forum in June 2025 is a landmark event that underscores its commitment to MSME development and regional integration.
Under President Tinubu’s leadership, the oversight committee is poised to deliver a transformative forum that leverages digital innovation, market access, and affordable financing to build resilient MSMEs.
By fostering collaboration among African nations, Nigeria aims to drive inclusive growth, empower entrepreneurs, and advance the AU’s vision of a prosperous, integrated continent.
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