The Institute of Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Management and Administration (IEAMA) has called on financial institutions to make funding more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. This initiative aims to strengthen SME operations and increase their contribution to Nigeria's economic growth. IEAMA plans to organise a forum to bring financial institutions and SMEs together to discuss access to funding and improve financial literacy.
The forum, tagged 2026 Finance Meets Entrepreneur (FME), is scheduled to take place on October 15, 2026, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Ikeja, Lagos. The event will feature the induction of new members and awards presentations. According to Dr. Eladiya Damilola, Chairman of FME 2026, the conference will guide entrepreneurs on how to access funds from financial institutions while avoiding common bottlenecks such as compliance, formalisation, and governance issues.
Dr. Damilola noted that access to funding remains a significant challenge for many entrepreneurs in Nigeria. He emphasised that addressing this challenge is critical to strengthening SME operations and enabling them to thrive. The conference aims to promote export readiness, sustainable businesses, and authentic financing and structured apprenticeship development.
Dr. Samson Adeniyi, Vice President of National IEAMA, highlighted that many entrepreneurs in Nigeria face challenges in accessing appropriate financing, digital tools, and capacity required to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses. He observed that Nigerians are naturally innovative and enterprising but often lack the necessary resources to grow their businesses.
The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and financial institutions by helping business owners understand available financial products and how to use funding effectively. This will enable SMEs to make informed decisions about funding and improve their chances of success.
The 2026 Finance Meets Entrepreneur forum will provide a platform for entrepreneurs to learn about available financial products and how to access them. It will also offer opportunities for networking and collaboration between financial institutions and SMEs. The event is expected to promote sustainable business growth and contribute to Nigeria's economic development.
By making funding more accessible to SMEs, IEAMA aims to promote economic growth and development in Nigeria. The institute's efforts are expected to have a positive impact on the country's business landscape, enabling SMEs to play a more significant role in driving economic growth and job creation.
Key points
- IEAMA urges financial institutions to make funding more accessible to SMEs in Nigeria.
- The 2026 Finance Meets Entrepreneur forum aims to promote export readiness, sustainable businesses, and authentic financing and structured apprenticeship development.
- The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and financial institutions by improving financial literacy and access to funding.
