By Queen Kunde
The Head of Civil Service of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mrs. Grace Adayilo, has hailed the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) for its consistent efforts in driving development through the Abuja SME Expo an initiative now seen as a critical engine for economic transformation in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking through her Personal Assistant, Mrs. Olaide Genevieve Yongo, at the opening ceremony of the 5th edition of the Expo held yesterday at Jabi Lake Park, Abuja, Mrs. Adayilo lauded the AEA’s sustained initiatives in empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs), describing the Expo as a “vibrant space for innovation, funding access, and market expansion.”
The commendation was contained in an official statement released Saturday by AEA’s Team Lead for Corporate Communications, Comrade Emmanuel Tortiv.
The Head of Service noted that AEA has continually played a pivotal role as the FCT’s special purpose vehicle for SME development through initiatives such as the FCT-CARES programme, the “One Village, One Product” (OVOP) scheme, and rural skills acquisition campaigns across the six Area Councils.
Addressing this year’s theme “Leveraging Financial Opportunities and Strategies to Mobilize Funding for Sustainable Growth”—she described it as “timely and strategic,” urging participants to tap into the networking and partnership opportunities the event offers. “Beyond funding, the Expo is a platform to build networks, explore partnerships, and connect with customers and export markets,” she stated.
She further thanked corporate sponsors and partners for their support and acknowledged the unwavering commitment of the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, and Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, to enterprise development and youth empowerment.
Earlier, Acting Managing Director and CEO of AEA, Dr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, reiterated the Agency’s mission to make Nigerian SMEs globally competitive. He highlighted the growing demand for financial literacy and investment strategies among entrepreneurs and emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to sustain progress.
Dr. Ugwuada-Ezirigwe hinted at a possible increase in the frequency of the Expo, suggesting a shift from an annual event to quarterly or biannual editions. “We’ve heard the stakeholders loud and clear. There’s consensus that this platform must become more frequent. We’re working towards holding it at least twice, if not four times, a year,” he said.
The event drew participation from top government agencies and private sector leaders, including the Head of Trade at the Abuja Office of the World Trade Center, Mr. David Opeyemi Oke, who delivered the keynote address. Representatives from NAFDAC, NASENI, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, and the Special Agro-Processing Zones Project were also in attendance.
First launched in 2016, the Abuja SME Expo has grown to become a hub for entrepreneurial engagement, attracting over 1,200 enterprises and 11,000 visitors across past editions. This year’s event continues in that tradition, featuring business clinics, symposiums, interactive panels, and advisory sessions.
As the Expo continues to inspire innovation and enterprise across the Territory, the message from both public and private sector voices is clear: SMEs are not just small businesses—they are big players in Nigeria’s sustainable future.