Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has called for the inclusion of entrepreneurship studies in the curriculum of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the country.
The governor made the call on Thursday in Ilorin in an address delivered at the opening of a three day Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Clinics for viable enterprises.
“For this reason and coupled with the high unemployment rate in the country, it has become increasingly important focus to introduce more young people to entrepreneurship education,” he said.
According to him, Entrepreneurship study was made compulsory at the state university in Malete.
He also said that his government has established the International Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC).
This, Gov Ahmed said was in partnership with Alfred University, New York to promote inclusive human capital development within the context of national middle level manpower needs and global trends.
“As we are all aware, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises are one of the building blocks of any economy.
“They account for about two-thirds of total employment in developing countries and contribute about 50% to the GDP of developed countries.
“However, despite the potential of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises to contribute positively to the economy, Nigerian entrepreneurs are constantly faced with challenges when starting a business or running one,” Ahmed added.
Ahmed said that according to World Bank report on Ease of Doing Business 2017, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be home to the economies with the least business-friendly regulations, with Nigeria ranked 169 out of 190 countries listed in the report.
“This validates the complaints by Nigerian entrepreneurs across the country concerning the barriers they encounter while managing their businesses,” he added.
Gov Ahmed access to finance as one of the issues MSMEs were facing in the country.
“It is no secret that the short term-high interest rates charged by banks on credit facilities are at the top of the list of problems entrepreneurs encounter,” the Governor said.
According to him, his administration has put in place strategies to promote entrepreneurship which include access to the much needed capital at single interest rate and minimal paper work.
Gov Ahmed therefore called on banks to provide long tenor funds at single-digit interest rate to entrepreneurs and small business owners.
“I also urge the Federal Government to simplify regulatory frameworks, introduce market-friendly policies and improve the overall ease of doing business in the country.
“No doubt, wealth and a high majority of jobs are created by small businesses started by entrepreneurially minded individuals, many of whom go on to create big businesses.
The Governor assured entrepreneurs and businesses in Kwara State of his government’s maximum support and cooperation at all times.
“We pledge to continue to provide an enabling environment for businesses to operate.
“I urge entrepreneurs in Kwara State to take advantage of today’s program and the various support initiatives put in place by the Federal and State Governments to develop and expand your businesses,” he added.
