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| Photo shows from right: General Manager, Community Relations, Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL), Rilwan Abdullahi; Regional Manager, Middle-belt, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Wilson Kolawole; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, Nasarawa State, Khadija Oshafu Nuhu; Dangote Group’s National Assembly Lead, Dr Shuaibu Abdullahi, and State Liaison Officer, Abdulrazak Sambajo, at the ongoing 2025 Nasarawa Trade Fair Exhibition in Lafia at the weekend. |
Dangote Industries Limited is intensifying its support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria through strategic collaborations with key stakeholders, Senior Adviser to the Dangote Group President, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, announced.
At the 2025 Nasarawa Trade Fair Exhibition in Lafia, during the Dangote Special Day, she highlighted the company’s partnership with the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, as a vital step to raise awareness and expand small businesses nationwide.
Represented by Hon. Dr. Shuaibu Abdullahi, Dangote’s National Assembly Liaison Lead, Wali-Abdurrahman emphasized the group’s ongoing commitment to working with both government and private sectors to nurture small enterprises.
She revealed that the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Bank of Industry (BoI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a dedicated N5 billion fund to empower MSMEs across Nigeria.
This initiative aims to generate at least one million direct jobs by financially supporting entrepreneurs in manufacturing, agro-processing, and merchandising of locally made products.
In a press release issued by the company, the Senior Adviser, who was represented by Hon. Dr. Shuaibu Abdullahi, the company’s National Assembly Liaison Lead, said Dangote Group will continue to partner government and private sectors to develop small businesses.
She said: “I am pleased to inform you that in alignment with theme of this year’s Trade Fair, the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Bank of Industry (BoI) had entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and established a N5 billion fund dedicated to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria.
“This initiative is aimed to create at least one million direct jobs by providing financial support to entrepreneurs engaged in manufacturing, agro-processing, and the merchandising of goods made wholly in Nigeria.”
She added that the MoU, which benefitted micro-enterprises includes cassava processors, aluminum artisans, poultry farmers, calabash carving groups, small traders, cattle rearing groups, vegetable sellers, market women and artisan groups, among others.
She said as part for its support for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria, the company had supported Jakura Marble Industry Ltd (JMIL) in electrification.
She added that in line with the company’s commitment to supporting small businesses, agriculture, and job creation in Nigeria, Dangote Fertiliser Limited had initiated a comprehensive training programme targeting over one million farmers across the country.
“This programme, integral to our agricultural extension services, encompasses Spot Demonstrations, Result Demonstrations, Field Demonstrations, and Soil Sample Collections.
“The training is designed to educate farmers on best practices in fertiliser application, aiming to enhance crop yields and promote sustainable farming techniques. By providing hands-on demonstrations and soil analysis, we strive to empower farmers with the knowledge and tools necessary to improve their productivity and livelihoods.
“This programme shows our dedication to fostering agricultural development and economic growth in Nigeria.”
According to her, the company’s supports for “Fostering Economic Development Through Mineral and Agricultural Cottage Industrialization” are numerous.
“May I also inform this esteemed audience that our sponsorship of numerous Trade Fairs, including this one organized by the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), is a key component of our commitment to fostering the growth of trade and small businesses across Nigeria.
“By supporting this Trade Fair, we aim to provide micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with platforms to showcase their products, network with potential partners, and access new markets, thereby contributing to the nation's economic development.
“As a company, we are therefore joining NASSI and NACCIMA to call on the public and private sector stakeholders to prioritize MSMES in Nigeria. This is key to our industrialization effort in Nigeria.”
According to her, some of the Strategic Business Units that are participating from the Dangote Group are: Dangote Fertilser Limited (DFL), Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN), Dangote SinoTruck, Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR), Dangote Salt (NASCON) and Dangote Cement Plc.
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