Tinubu says 21 shared facilities support 650,000 Nigerian jobs

President Bola Tinubu says 21 shared facilities established across 19 Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory are supporting businesses and an estimated 650,000 jobs. The facilities were created under the Federal Government’s National MSME Clinics initiative. They provide entrepreneurs with access to equipment, electricity and production infrastructure, allowing them to use shared resources rather than bear the full cost of establishing their own facilities.

Tinubu disclosed the figure in a statement on Monday while discussing government efforts to address infrastructure and equipment constraints affecting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. He said many small businesses had the skills and ideas needed to expand but lacked the machinery and facilities required to increase production. Tailors and food processors were among the businesses he identified as potential beneficiaries.

The president said shared facilities could help firms produce more at lower cost, improve their competitiveness and employ more people. He presented the initiative as part of a wider approach to removing barriers that prevent entrepreneurs from turning their skills into sustainable businesses. The government is also expanding programmes focused on finance, equipment, skills and market access.

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria has previously identified finance, infrastructure and markets as major challenges for small businesses. Other measures include the National Credit Guarantee Company, which provides guarantees intended to encourage financial institutions to lend to businesses and other eligible borrowers. Tinubu said stronger small businesses could increase household incomes and expand economic activity, but the source did not provide a breakdown of the estimated 650,000 jobs or independent figures confirming the total.