Following the successful conclusion of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) empowerment training held in Kabba, Kogi West Senatorial District, renowned Federal Government Business Development Consultant, Chief Jeremiah Oladokun, has announced that the next edition of the initiative will take place in Okene, the heart of Kogi Central.
The training, which is part of a broader state-wide campaign aimed at promoting the Federal Government’s MSME loan scheme facilitated through the Bank of Industry (BOI), seeks to equip entrepreneurs with practical knowledge on how to access and utilize government-backed funding to grow sustainable businesses.
Strategic Empowerment Through Business Education
Chief Oladokun, a BOI-accredited Business Development Service Provider, explained that the Okene training will build on the momentum created in Kabba, where a large number of entrepreneurs participated in comprehensive sessions. These sessions covered a range of topics including entrepreneurial mindset reorientation, effective strategies for starting and scaling businesses, the basics of financial management, and techniques for writing fundable business proposals. Participants also learned how to leverage crowdfunding platforms and social capital to supplement their financial resources.
He reiterated that the BOI MSME loan scheme is designed to provide financial support of between ₦1 million and ₦5 million at a single-digit interest rate of 9%, repayable over a period of 36 months. The initiative, he explained, forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national enterprise development agenda targeted at lifting MSMEs from survival to sustainability.
“This is a practical empowerment campaign. We’re not just telling people to access the loan—we are guiding them, step-by-step, on how to get it, how to use it, and how to build long-lasting businesses,” Chief Oladokun said.
Who Should Participate?
According to Chief Oladokun, the upcoming training in Okene is tailored for a broad spectrum of participants. These include individuals who already run small or medium-sized businesses and are looking to expand, as well as those planning to start new ventures. The program is also ideal for young people and women interested in entrepreneurship, organized cooperative societies with viable business models, and even salary earners seeking to transition into business while still employed.
He emphasized that building a business while earning a salary is one of the most strategic ways to prepare for long-term financial independence.
“Salary is not permanent wealth. You must convert it into something productive. This training will show you how,” he added.
How to Participate
For those interested in joining the Okene edition of the training or seeking guidance on how to apply for the BOI loan, the organizing team has provided dedicated contact numbers. Individuals can call or message 09022967043 or 08060145272 for registration, additional information, or personalized advisory support.
Statewide Expansion in View
The Okene seminar is part of a sequential rollout across the three senatorial zones of Kogi State. With Kabba completed and Okene now in focus, Chief Oladokun disclosed that Kogi East will host the third leg of the empowerment campaign in the coming weeks.
He commended President Tinubu for what he described as “the most impactful entrepreneurship intervention at a time when Nigerians are looking for economic direction.
”This loan scheme is not just funding—it’s a roadmap to business growth. We’re going to every zone in Kogi to make sure no entrepreneur is left behind,” he concluded.
Entrepreneurs across the state are encouraged to seize this opportunity to gain practical tools, professional guidance, and access to capital that can transform their ideas into profitable enterprises.
