From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are set to deepen institutional collaboration, with a focus on youth empowerment, cybersecurity, capacity development and responsible entrepreneurship.
This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Moshood Lawal, Head of the Corporate Affairs Unit, SMEDAN.
According to the statement, the proposed collaboration emerged during a courtesy visit by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Odii, to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, in Abuja.
The EFCC Chairman said the Commission had followed with keen interest SMEDAN’s youth-focused interventions, describing them as significant efforts towards equipping young Nigerians with opportunities and skills that could positively transform their lives.
He particularly acknowledged the Agency’s growing focus on youth development through capacity-building and empowerment schemes, describing the interventions as important contributions towards equipping young Nigerians with the knowledge and opportunities required to become productive participants in the economy.
He added that such initiatives could help discourage young people from engaging in negative activities that have an adverse impact on the country’s economy and image.
During the meeting, the two Chief Executives agreed to strengthen collaboration through knowledge-sharing and joint capacity-building initiatives.
A key area of agreement was the proposed integration of relevant components of the ICSS curriculum into the EFCC’s cybersecurity training programmes.
The two institutions also agreed to explore the participation of the EFCC in relevant SMEDAN training programmes, particularly those aimed at strengthening awareness of cybersecurity, financial responsibility and ethical business practices among entrepreneurs and young people.
The collaboration is expected to create a stronger link between enterprise development and financial crime prevention, ensuring that young entrepreneurs are equipped not only to start and grow businesses but also to understand the importance of operating within the law and protecting their businesses in an increasingly digital economy.
Speaking during the engagement, Mr. Odii emphasised the importance of partnerships among government institutions in delivering the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians, particularly the country’s rapidly growing youth population.
He noted that empowering young people requires a holistic approach that combines skills development, access to opportunities, mentorship, digital knowledge, financial literacy and responsible enterprise practices.
