UNILAG and SMEDAN Join Forces to Strengthen Nigerian MSMEs and Train Business Development Experts

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has partnered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to reposition Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.

The collaboration was unveiled on Thursday, September 18, 2025, during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at the Human Resources Development Centre (HRDC), UNILAG. The event, themed “Catalyzing MSME Growth and Innovation through Strategic Partnerships Aligned with Future-Ready Agenda,” attracted policymakers, industry leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, and financial institutions committed to strengthening Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem.

UNILAG’s Drive for Industry-Oriented Research

In her welcome address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola highlighted the university’s commitment to bridging academia and industry. She explained that under her leadership, UNILAG has shifted student research from an “inside-out” approach to an “outside-in” model, focusing on real industry challenges rather than purely academic assumptions.

“We recognize the demographic potential of Nigeria, with more than 150 million people under the age of 30,” Professor Ogunsola stated. “This presents both opportunities and risks. At UNILAG, we invest in the infrastructure and environment that enable our students to become industry-relevant, self-reliant, and innovative.”

SMEDAN’s Commitment to MSME Growth

Representing SMEDAN’s Director-General, Lagos State Manager Dr. Olubunmi Kole-Dawodu reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to simplifying regulatory processes and creating a supportive framework for small businesses. He described the partnership with UNILAG as a major step toward embedding knowledge, research, and innovation within Nigeria’s MSME sector.

Dr. Kole-Dawodu encouraged entrepreneurs to embrace collaboration, noting that operating in isolation limits opportunities for growth.

Partnerships as the Future of MSMEs

Delivering the keynote address, Engr. Leye Kupoluyi, Deputy President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), stressed that strategic partnerships are vital for MSMEs to remain competitive in a digital economy.

“To be future-ready, MSMEs must adopt technology, embrace sustainability, and build resilience,” he said. “But they cannot do this alone. Their success depends on ecosystems of collaboration that provide access to finance, mentorship, and global markets.”

Kupoluyi referenced the success stories of Nigerian companies like Paystack, Flutterwave, and Psaltery International, which leveraged strategic alliances to achieve international recognition.

Panel Discussion Highlights

A panel session examined key challenges facing MSMEs, including limited access to finance, slow technology adoption, and weak market linkages. Panelists included Dr. Olubunmi Kole-Dawodu (SMEDAN), Mr. Victor Awoniyi (Industrial Training Fund), Mr. Oluwaseun Adekanbi (UNILAG Microfinance Bank), and Professor Ashiyat Akodu (Founder/CEO of CerviTech). The session was moderated by Dr. Adeleke Adesina, a business coach and lecturer in the Department of Science Education.

UNILAG Presents First Batch of Business Development Service Professionals

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of ten newly trained Business Development Service Professionals (BDSPs) sponsored by UNILAG and certified by SMEDAN. The BDSPs will serve as licensed business coaches to support MSME growth and innovation within the university and beyond.

The pioneer group includes:

• Dr. Lateef Odekunle – Director, HRDC, and Chairman, UNILAG-BDSP
• Professor Johnson Agunsoye – Director, Centre for Industrial Liaison and Placement Unit (CILPU)
• Professor Atinuke Lano-Maduagu
• Professor Sunday Olabiyi
• Dr. Oladimeji Odetunde
• Dr. Rahim A. Ganiyu
• Dr. Oluwole Victor Falobi
• Dr. Mayowa Iredele
• Dr. Yetunde Abiodun
• Mr. Adeshola Kukoyi – Secretary, UNILAG-BDSP

Professor Ogunsola congratulated the group and charged them to use their skills to build sustainable collaborations between government, industry, and academia. Dr. Odekunle expressed gratitude to the university for its support and reaffirmed the BDSPs’ commitment to positioning UNILAG as a hub for enterprise development and innovation.

Driving Economic Transformation

As the event concluded, stakeholders emphasized that training, collaboration, and research-driven solutions are critical to transforming Nigeria’s MSME landscape. With this partnership, UNILAG aims to create a robust platform for entrepreneurship, ensuring that Nigerian small businesses are not only prepared for the future but capable of competing globally.