By Ali Rabiu Ali, Dutse
The Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Jigawa State Chapter, has commended Umar Namadi for what it described as meaningful initiatives aimed at strengthening small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the state.
The association said the policies and programmes introduced by the governor’s administration are creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs while boosting job creation and economic growth.
Speaking on behalf of the association, the Jigawa State Secretary of NASSI, Danlami Haladu Shuaibu, praised the state government for implementing projects that directly engage local businesses and contractors.
According to him, the state government is currently executing several SME-related contracts through the state ministries, particularly the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Water Resources, with many of the projects awarded to local small and medium enterprises.
Shuaibu said the initiative is expected to generate employment for youths and skilled workers while expanding opportunities for indigenous businesses to grow.
He noted that the programme aligns with the governor’s development blueprint known as the Twelve-Point Agenda, which places strong emphasis on economic empowerment, job creation and private sector development.
“The decision by the government to involve small and medium enterprises in the execution of public projects is a major step toward strengthening local businesses and reducing unemployment in the state,” he said.
According to him, the engagement of SMEs in government contracts will enable many small businesses to scale up their operations, improve productivity and contribute more significantly to the state’s economy.
He added that SMEs remain the backbone of economic development in Nigeria, citing statistics that show the sector contributes between 46 and 49 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He further noted that SMEs account for about 84 per cent of employment in Nigeria and represent roughly 96 per cent of all businesses operating in the country.
“These figures clearly demonstrate the importance of supporting small businesses because they play a critical role in driving growth in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, education and services,” Shuaibu said.
The NASSI official expressed optimism that the Jigawa State government’s ongoing support for SMEs would empower local entrepreneurs, expand economic activities and improve livelihoods across the state.
He also called on small business owners in Jigawa to take advantage of the opportunities created by the government by improving their capacity, maintaining quality standards and delivering projects effectively.
Shuaibu further urged other states across the country to emulate Jigawa’s approach by integrating SMEs into government development programmes in order to stimulate grassroots economic growth.
Observers say the continued involvement of small businesses in public sector projects could significantly strengthen local enterprise development while helping to address unemployment challenges in the state.
They also believe that sustained government support for SMEs will enhance innovation, encourage investment and create a more resilient local economy.
With the growing emphasis on entrepreneurship and industrial development, stakeholders say initiatives like those introduced by the Jigawa State government could play a major role in expanding the state’s economic base while empowering thousands of small business operators.
