Business Empowerment Program Reaches 1,000 Entrepreneurs
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The Office of the Deputy Senate President celebrates a milestone as its Business Empowerment Program successfully supports 1,000 entrepreneurs across Nigeria. The program, launched two years ago, provides financial grants, business training, and mentorship to small and medium enterprises.
"Supporting entrepreneurship is key to economic development and job creation," said DSP Barau I. Jibril during a ceremony marking the milestone. "We are proud to have reached 1,000 entrepreneurs, but our work continues as we aim to expand the program to reach even more Nigerians."
Program Impact
The Business Empowerment Program has had significant impact across various sectors:
- Created over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs
- Supported businesses in agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and services
- Provided over ₦500 million in grants and low-interest loans
- Facilitated business skills training for 3,000 entrepreneurs
- Connected businesses with markets and supply chains
The program has been particularly successful in supporting women and youth entrepreneurs, with 60% of beneficiaries being women and 70% under the age of 35.
Success Stories
Among the success stories is Fatima Ibrahim, who received support to expand her agricultural processing business. "The grant and training I received transformed my business," she said. "I've been able to purchase modern equipment, hire 15 employees, and increase my production capacity by 300%."
Another beneficiary, Chukwudi Okafor, used the program's support to scale his tech startup. "The mentorship component was invaluable," he noted. "Having access to experienced business leaders helped me avoid common pitfalls and accelerate my company's growth."
Future Plans
Building on the success of the program, DSP Barau Jibril announced plans to expand its reach and impact:
- Increasing funding to support an additional 2,000 entrepreneurs over the next three years
- Establishing business incubation centers in each geopolitical zone
- Creating an export facilitation program to help businesses access international markets
- Developing sector-specific training programs to address unique industry challenges
"Entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for economic transformation," DSP Barau Jibril emphasized. "By supporting our entrepreneurs, we are not just creating businesses; we are building a more resilient and diversified economy for Nigeria."
