Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the 2026 National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Awards demonstrates President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to positioning small businesses as the engine of Nigeria’s economic transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking with journalists after the awards ceremony in Abuja, Idris said the Federal Government remains focused on creating an enabling environment that allows entrepreneurs to thrive, generate employment and contribute to sustainable national development.
He noted that the recognition of outstanding entrepreneurs at the awards reflected the administration’s determination to strengthen the MSME sector, which he described as critical to economic prosperity.
READ ALSO: Media Must Fight Disinformation to Save Democracy-Information Minister
“The awards are a clear indication of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to repositioning MSMEs as the foundation of Nigeria’s economic prosperity. The beneficiaries have dedicated their achievements to Mr. President and the Renewed Hope Agenda, expressing confidence that with the continued support of the administration, Nigeria is firmly on the path to greater prosperity,” he highlighted.
Idris also dedicated the award presented to him for supporting MSME development and job creation to the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, its agencies and staff.
According to him, the Ministry’s responsibility extends beyond public communication to ensuring that Nigerians understand government policies and take advantage of programmes designed to empower entrepreneurs and expand economic opportunities.
“This recognition is not for me alone. It belongs to the Ministry, its agencies and our hardworking staff who continue to communicate government initiatives and enlighten Nigerians on the opportunities available through MSME development. Our responsibility is to ensure that citizens understand the value of these programmes and appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to reposition the country for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he stated.
The Minister described the disbursement of more than ₦1 billion in grants to over 1,000 beneficiaries as a strategic intervention that would strengthen small businesses and accelerate grassroots economic development.
According to him, the administration’s decision to replace material gifts with direct financial grants would provide entrepreneurs with the flexibility to invest in their businesses, expand production and create more jobs.
“The President believes that providing cash support will enable beneficiaries to reinvest in their enterprises, grow their businesses and contribute more meaningfully to the nation’s economy. It is a new direction that will strengthen entrepreneurship and deepen grassroots economic development,” Idris noted.
Speaking earlier, Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said the National MSME Awards remain one of the Federal Government’s key platforms for promoting entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth.
He explained that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government had introduced a major policy shift by replacing prizes such as cars, shops and houses with business grants ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦3 million.
According to the Vice President, the initiative was designed to provide entrepreneurs with working capital needed to reduce operational costs, purchase raw materials, expand production and create sustainable employment.
“In today’s economic realities, what a growing business needs most is working capital. This strategic financial support will help beneficiaries reduce operating costs, purchase raw materials, scale production and create lasting jobs for our growing population,” he said.
Shettima congratulated the award recipients and urged them to make prudent use of the grants by expanding their businesses, mentoring emerging entrepreneurs and creating employment opportunities.
He assured entrepreneurs that the Federal Government, working with state governments and the private sector, would continue to implement policies that reward innovation, support enterprise growth and ensure that the benefits of economic development are widely shared.
The 2026 National MSME Awards and the public presentation of the Compendium of MSME Activities under the Renewed Hope Agenda attracted senior government officials, heads of government agencies, development partners, private sector leaders and other stakeholders committed to advancing Nigeria’s MSME sector.
