DIRECT SEAT AT THE TABLE: Vice President Shettima Orders Quarterly Meetings to Give Nigerian Small Businesses a Powerful Voice!

Abdulhameed Sherif · Politics · Oct 31, 2026

In a major move to bridge the gap between government policies and grassroots enterprises, Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed the immediate expansion of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) stakeholders' forum.

The Federal Government has doubled down on its commitment to grassroots commerce, recognizing that small businesses serve as the lifeblood of the Nigerian economy.

Speaking during a high-level MSME stakeholders' gathering in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized that small business owners must no longer operate on the fringes of policy formulation.

Highlighting the profound impact of local businesses on everyday households, Shettima painted a vivid picture of commercial realities across the country:

The Human Cost: Noting that the smallest shop on any Nigerian street carries the weight of entire families, he remarked, "Behind its counter are school fees, a parent’s medicine, and an apprentice’s first chance at independence. Whenever that shop closes, the loss travels far beyond its owner."

Quarterly Accountability: To ensure that concerns do not fall on deaf ears, the Vice President instructed the Special Adviser to the President on MSMEs and Job Creation, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, to expand the stakeholders' forum and institutionalize regular check-ins every three months. These sessions are designed to review past resolutions and track tangible progress.

Substantial Financial Backing: The administration reiterated its commitment by spotlighting ongoing federal interventions, including portions of the approved ₦200 billion presidential support fund targeted at easing financial burdens, boosting manufacturing, and expanding small business operations.

Entrepreneur representatives who attended the visit expressed renewed confidence in the administration's trajectory. As the newly mandated quarterly framework rolls out, Nigerian business owners look forward to a more responsive government that actively listens to and incorporates the private sector into its economic blueprint.