In a strategic move to bolster the local economy, the Ogun State Government has operationalized the Ogun State Enterprise Development Agency (OGSEDA). Designed to serve as a catalyst for small business sustainability, the agency has begun its activities ahead of its formal inauguration scheduled for later this year.
During a consultative session held at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Abeokuta, Permanent Secretary Kehinde Akintomide highlighted the agency as a central pillar of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s economic agenda. Akintomide emphasized that while the state is a known hub for large-scale manufacturing, the administration is now placing equal weight on “cottage industries,” recognizing them as indispensable engines for employment and regional wealth creation.
The establishment of OGSEDA received significant technical backing from international partners. Akintomide specifically acknowledged the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), through its SEDIN program (Sustainable Economic Development for Decent Employment in Nigeria), for its role in ensuring the agency’s successful takeoff.
The Director-General of OGSEDA, Segun Dada, characterized the agency’s mission as a vital intervention for the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He noted that the agency would prioritize:
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Institutional Support: Building a framework to help startups transition into sustainable enterprises.
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Resource Access: Providing the necessary tools and guidance for business owners across various sectors.
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Economic Indicators: Using the health and success of local MSMEs as a primary metric for the state’s overall financial progress.
As OGSEDA begins its work, the Ministry has pledged to provide all necessary resources to ensure the agency meets its mandate of transforming Ogun State into a more fertile ground for small-scale industrialization.
