9th Expanded National MSME Clinics, Katsina

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah.

It is with great honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you all to Katsina State, the Home of Hospitality, and now proudly, the Home of Innovation and Enterprise.

Your excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, today’s event — the 9th Expanded National MSME Clinic — is not just another policy engagement. It is a national platform where ideas, opportunities, and partnerships converge to drive one goal; the growth of our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises — the real engine of Nigeria’s economy.

The MSME Clinic, initiated under the leadership of the Vice President, has become a powerful symbol of practical governance — where government meets the people, listens to their challenges, and offers real-time solutions. Here in Katsina, we are proud to host this important national event — the very first under our administration — and to demonstrate how subnational governments can take ownership of the MSME agenda to create jobs, reduce poverty, and empower citizens.

Your excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, When we came into office, we made a deliberate decision to make enterprise development a central pillar of our administration. We established the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) as the institutional vehicle to drive entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment. In just two years, I am proud to say that we have recorded significant milestones, which include:

• Supporting Over 100,000 beneficiaries across the 34 LGAs with access to finance, access to market, business advisory services, formalisation of businesses etc
• Establishment of a N5.5Billion MSME fund out of which over 1Billion has so far been disbursed to 701 business
• MSME Census and Cluster Mapping completed to provide reliable data for planning and investment.
• Development of a State MSME Policy, Five-Year Strategic Plan, and Human Resource and Operational Manuals.
• Establishment of Common Facility Centres in key sectors such as fashion, leather, and food processing.
• Training of first batch of 1,500 youth under the NATA- MASP apprenticeship program.
• Introduction of the Dikko Social Innovation Academy (SINA) — an initiative that nurtures young change-makers solving local problems through enterprise.
• Organization of the First Katsina MSME Awards, to celebrate excellence and inspire others.

These achievements, I must say, are not accidental. They are the results of structured planning, collaboration, and commitment to inclusive growth.

Your excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, from the oneset, we recognised that we cant do it alone and we built strong collaborations with SMEDAN, BOI, NITDA, NEPC, NBTE, and other agencies, as well as with private sector partners and donor organizations. Through these partnerships, we are implementing programs on digital marketing, export readiness, business development services, women and youth in enterprise, and capacity building for KASEDA personnel. Our partnership with CETAPI – Centre for Entrepreneurship Training and Policy Initiative — has been instrumental in driving professionalism, technical depth, and impact measurement across our projects.

Your Excellency, the Vice President, the Expanded MSME Clinic is a living example of the Renewed Hope Agenda in action — a vision that sees the small business owner not as a bystander, but as the backbone of Nigeria’s growth. Through the National MSME Clinics, the gap has been bridged between entrepreneurs and regulators, simplified access to finance, and brought government closer to the people.

We in Katsina are proud to complement that effort. We will continue to align our programs with national priorities — particularly in digital transformation, manufacturing, agribusiness, and youth innovation.

I wish reaffirm our commitmment by stating here that all the MSME exhibitors participating in this 9th edition of the National MSME Clinics today will not only showcase their products but will also receive customized training on market access and business expansion. They will be trained on how to penetrate local and international markets, strengthen their digital presence, and improve their packaging and certification standards.

Each participating enterprise will also be profiled into the Katsina MSME database for continued mentorship and inclusion in upcoming business linkages and funding programs. Our commitment is to ensure that every business represented here today — no matter how small — has the tools, knowledge, and networks to grow beyond the borders of Katsina. We want them not only to survive but to thrive, compete, and dominate their markets.

Your Excellency, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this particular MSME Clinic will stand out from all others before it. I have directed KASEDA to work with the agencies present here today — including SMEDAN, BOI, NITDA, NEPC, SON, FIRS, and CAC — to provide post-event support to every registered participant and exhibitor. This means the Clinic does not end today. After the closing ceremony, every entrepreneur here will:

• Be enrolled in a six-month post-clinic mentorship and business tracking program;
• Receive continued support in access to finance, certification, and market linkages;
• Have their data integrated into the KASEDA MSME Portal for follow-up opportunities; and
• Participate in targeted capacity-building and export-readiness sessions based on their sectors.

We want this Clinic to mark the beginning of real transformation — where agencies’ interventions are tracked, businesses are monitored, and results are measurable and referral support for every participant are monitored until they achieve sustainable business growth.

I must express my deepest appreciation to:

• His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria, for his unwavering support for MSME development.
• The Office of the Vice President, for selecting Katsina as host of this important event.
• The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, and all participating MDAs.
• Our development partners, local entrepreneurs, and the people of Katsina for their cooperation and trust.

To our entrepreneurs exhibiting here today — this Clinic is for you.Take advantage of the opportunities. Engage the agencies. Ask questions. Get solutions. We want every MSME here to leave this Clinic better informed, better equipped, and better connected.

Your excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the story of MSME development in Katsina is one of vision, resilience, and partnership. We are demonstrating that when government listens, when agencies collaborate, and when entrepreneurs are empowered — real change happens.

As we host this 9th Expanded MSME Clinic, we renew our commitment to building a state where every business can thrive, where innovation is rewarded, and where enterprise drives shared prosperity.

Together, we are building a Katsina that works — for the farmer, for the trader, for the artisan, for the youth, for the woman entrepreneur, and for the dreamer who dares to create.

Before I conclude my address , I must specially thank you for the honour you have bestowed upon Katsina State by not only attending this Expanded MSME Clinic but also extending your stay to personally grace the 1st Katsina MSME Awards and the Dikko Social Innovation Academy Graduation Ceremony.

Your presence last night and today is a profound demonstration of your personal commitment to MSME development, and your genuine affection for the people of Katsina.

You were scheduled for a same-day visit, but when I humbly requested that you stay to witness the creativity and innovation of our young entrepreneurs, you graciously agreed without hesitation.

That gesture touched every heart in Katsina.

We remain profoundly grateful.

May Almighty Allah bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

bless our leaders, and bless the people of Katsina State.

Thank you, and welcome once again.