President Bola Tinubu announced that a $12 million entrepreneurship centre being developed in Abuja will provide targeted training, technology, workspaces, and incubation support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across northern Nigeria. Funded by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the facility aims to strengthen early-stage businesses and expand economic opportunities.
Project Scope and Funding Allocation
The Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship is located at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Industrial Development Centre in Idu, Abuja. Out of the total $12 million budget, $5.9 million is allocated toward physical construction, while $6.1 million is designated for equipment and operational programs.
The development targets an initial cohort of 500 entrepreneurs, 400 startups, and 1,500 MSMEs. President Tinubu stated that the facility will serve businesses throughout Abuja and surrounding cities, including Kaduna, Jos, Keffi, Lafia, Minna, Makurdi, and Lokoja, while extending resources to enterprises across northern Nigeria. The design also incorporates specialized facilities to improve accessibility for women and persons with disabilities, alongside an integrated crèche.
Infrastructure and Institutional Partnerships
While construction moves forward, SMEDAN, KOICA, and the UNDP are collaborating with universities, business incubators, financial institutions, private-sector organizations, and entrepreneur networks to deliver immediate support services. This initiative builds on prior infrastructure projects at the Idu site. In February 2025, SMEDAN and the UNDP launched a solar-powered garment and fashion hub alongside a makerspace designed to provide entrepreneurs with reliable electricity, workspace, and specialized equipment.
President Tinubu emphasized that MSMEs remain vital to the Nigerian economy due to their capacity to create jobs and support local communities, affirming that the federal government will continue backing initiatives that help citizens establish and expand commercial ventures. The project aligns with broader government skills-development programs, such as a Federal Government initiative launched in Oyo State to train and equip 200 young people with startup tools, with plans for replication across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is funding the Abuja entrepreneurship centre? The project is funded by the Republic of Korea through KOICA, in partnership with the UNDP and SMEDAN.
- What specific resources will the facility offer? The centre will provide workspaces, digital facilities, training, incubation, and enterprise development support tailored for startups and MSMEs.
- Who are the initial beneficiaries of the project? The project initially targets 500 entrepreneurs, 400 startups, and 1,500 MSMEs in Abuja, surrounding cities, and northern Nigeria.
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