Tinubu announces $12 million entrepreneurship centre in Abuja to help small businesses

President Bola Tinubu has announced a $12 million entrepreneurship centre in Abuja aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

He stated that the Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship will offer training, technology, incubation, workspaces, and other business support to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.

The president’s comments came in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.

President Tinubu mentioned that the centre is funded by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). It is being built at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Industrial Development Centre in Idu, Abuja, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

He said the project will focus on supporting 500 entrepreneurs, 400 start-ups, and 1,500 MSMEs.

What the centre will offer

President Tinubu explained that the centre will provide workspaces, digital facilities, training, incubation, and support for enterprise development.

He added that the centre will cater to entrepreneurs in Abuja and nearby cities, including Kaduna, Jos, Keffi, Lafia, Minna, Makurdi, and Lokoja. It will also support businesses across northern Nigeria.

The centre will have features to improve access for women and persons with disabilities, and it will include a crèche.

He stated that $5.9 million of the funding will go towards construction, while $6.1 million will be used for equipment and programmes.

While construction is ongoing, SMEDAN, KOICA, and UNDP will collaborate with universities, business incubators, financial institutions, private-sector organizations, and entrepreneur networks to provide support to businesses.

Support for MSMEs

This new centre adds to the efforts by SMEDAN and its partners to provide infrastructure, equipment, training, and other support to small businesses.

In February 2025, SMEDAN and UNDP launched a solar-powered garment and fashion hub and a makerspace at the agency’s Industrial Development Centre in Idu, Abuja. This facility was created to give entrepreneurs access to equipment, workspace, and reliable electricity.

SMEDAN has reported that its programmes help businesses access funding, join supply chains, and expand their operations.

President Tinubu emphasized that MSMEs are crucial to the Nigerian economy because they create jobs and support families and communities.

He said the government will keep supporting initiatives that help more Nigerians start and grow their businesses.

This project comes as the government broadens other entrepreneurship and skills development programmes. On Tuesday, the State House announced a Federal Government programme to train and supply start-up tools to 200 young people in Oyo State, with plans to extend the programme across all six geopolitical zones.

The president praised the South Korean government, KOICA, UNDP, and SMEDAN for their contributions to the entrepreneurship centre.

He noted that this project will enhance existing government efforts in digital skills, entrepreneurship, and enterprise development.