President Bola Tinubu has approved the formation of an Oversight Committee to coordinate Nigeria’s hosting of the 4th African Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Forum, scheduled to take place from 23 to 27 June 2025 in Abuja.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Wednesday by Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs.
He revealed that the theme for this year’s forum is “Building Resilient MSMEs through Digital Innovation, Market Access & Affordable Financing for Africa.” The forum will feature a range of activities, including paper presentations, panel discussions, exhibitions, networking sessions, business pitch events, and the presentation of awards to outstanding Nigerian entrepreneurs.
According to Adekunle-Johnson, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hassan-Hadejia, will serve as Chairman of the committee. Other members include the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani; and Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hon Hannatu Musawa.
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The committee also comprises key stakeholders such as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs Nonye Ayeni; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs Aisha Rimi; Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi; Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Zacch Adedeji; MD/CEO of NEXIM Bank, Mr Abba Bello; Director General of SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii; and President of NACCIMA, Mr Dele Kelvin Oye. Mr Anthony N. Alonwu, Deputy Director of the African Union Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is also a member.
Adekunle-Johnson himself will serve as both the Host Country Coordinator and the Secretary of the Committee.
The AU MSME Forum, initiated by the African Union Commission in 2022, aims to empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises by strengthening intra-African value chains and enhancing regional trade. Hosting duties rotate among AU member states, with Egypt, Ethiopia, and Namibia having hosted previous editions.
