{
  "id": 18511031,
  "title": "SMEDAN Targets 100 Millionaire Entrepreneursfrom SME Funding Initiative",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/smedan-targets-100-millionaire-entrepreneursfrom-sme-funding",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T13:46:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/11/06/smedan-targets-100-millionaire-entrepreneursfrom-sme-funding-initiative/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is on a mission to create 100 millionaire entrepreneurs through a multifaceted funding initiative. At the upcoming GROW Nigerian Conference 2026, SMEDAN will offer small businesses essential skills training, financial grants, and market access opportunities. The conference, themed \"GROW Nigerian: The Next Frontier for Innovation, Policy and Market Access,\" will convene entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, financial institutions, and regulatory agencies in Lagos from November 8 to 10. SMEDAN Director General, Mr. Charles Odii, emphasized that the initiative is geared towards transforming aspiring entrepreneurs into commercially viable businesses that generate wealth, sustain livelihoods, and create employment. The conference will feature a ₦100 million pitch competition, practical masterclasses, funding opportunities, and a business clinic offering direct assistance to entrepreneurs. Prominent attendees include the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi; Dr. Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director of the Development Bank of Nigeria; and Dr. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC. The conference will also include a Nigeria First Fair, offering participating businesses direct access to consumers and corporate buyers, aiming to bolster the revenue base of small enterprises.",
  "summary": "■Odii says initiative will equip entrepreneurs with skills, capital to scale businesses, create jobs James Emejo in Abuja The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), said it",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}