Agege empowers 200 MSMEs with training, access to finance
The Chairman of Agege Local Government, Abdul-Ganiyi Obasa, has said the council is driving grassroots economic growth through targeted support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as over 200
The Chairman of Agege Local Government, Abdul-Ganiyi Obasa, has said the council is driving grassroots economic growth through targeted support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as over 200 entrepreneurs graduated from a capacity-building programme organised in partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF).
Speaking at the graduation ceremony and cheque presentation held in Agege, Obasa described the initiative as a major step in repositioning the local economy and expanding opportunities for small businesses.
He said the programme was not merely a training exercise but a strategic intervention designed to move entrepreneurs from subsistence operations to sustainable and scalable enterprises.
“This is more than a graduation; it is a defining moment in the economic repositioning of Agege. What we are witnessing is the activation of a new layer of opportunity within our local economy,” he said.
The council boss noted that beneficiaries had been equipped with practical skills, business structure and access to finance, positioning them for growth and competitiveness.
Obasa said his administration has prioritised economic empowerment as a core pillar of governance, with deliberate investments in infrastructure, enterprise development and support for artisans, traders and creatives.
“We are building an Agege that works, produces and competes. From strengthening local enterprise ecosystems to supporting our creative and informal sectors, we are laying the foundation for a resilient economy,” he added.
He described the collaboration with LSETF as strategic and results-driven, noting that it provides beneficiaries access to affordable financing at nine per cent per annum.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at bridging funding gaps and enabling entrepreneurs to scale their businesses.
“As a local government, we have committed resources to ensure our businesses are not excluded from opportunities. This programme enables entrepreneurs to move from ideas to enterprise and from enterprise to expansion,” Obasa said.
He also called on financial institutions, development organisations and private sector stakeholders to partner with the council, noting that Agege is open for investment and growth.
“Agege is ready for scale, ready for investment and ready for partnership. We are building a model that works and invites collaboration,” he stated.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Obasa urged them to maximise the opportunity by building sustainable businesses and contributing to economic development within their communities.
“You have been equipped and prepared. Now is the time to build businesses that last, create value and become catalysts for transformation. When your businesses grow, Agege grows, and Lagos prospers,” he said.
The event highlighted the growing role of grassroots interventions in strengthening Lagos State’s economy and expanding access to opportunities for small businesses.
