The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has expressed concern over the limited access to trade finance for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In a statement dated July 31, OPSN said Jani Ibrahim, national president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and chairman of OPSN, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, in Abuja.
The OPSN is made up of five member bodies — NACCIMA, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), and the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME).
During the meeting, Ibrahim commended Edun for his leadership and commitment in steering the economy through challenging times and acknowledged the “bold and historic” economic policies of President Bola Tinubu.
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“These include the removal of fuel subsidies, unification of exchange rates, prioritisation of domestic revenue mobilisation, and ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing public sector efficiency and ensuring budget implementation integrity,” the statement said.
The chairman also conveyed feedback from private sector operators on the potential impact of newly signed tax legislation, the persistent misalignment between budget approval and implementation, and the limited access to trade finance, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which remains a critical constraint.
He reaffirmed OPSN’s role as a platform for consultation, feedback, and policy validation, adding that the group could help disseminate government reforms to boost investor awareness and confidence.
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Ibrahim also sought Edun’s support for the NACCIMA investment summit scheduled for December 2025, which aims to mobilise capital and promote high-impact investments across priority sectors.
NASSI SEEKS PROTECTION FOR MSMEs FROM LOAN SHARKS
Also speaking, Mo Olumide Obidiran, deputy director-general (DG) of NASSI, called for action to address industrial skill gaps through training linked to employability and enterprise.
She urged the government to make the national council on skills more inclusive of MSMEs, which employ the majority of Nigeria’s workforce.
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Obidiran also appealed for intervention to protect MSMEs from “regulated loan sharks” charging interest rates as high as 120 percent annually.
Others present at the meeting included Sola Obadimu, coordinating secretary of OPSN and DG of NACCIMA; Dapo Adelegan, chairman of NACCIMA publicity committee and past president of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce; Ugwu Ejimnkeonye, director of NASME’s Abuja liaison office; and Hajiya Madinat Adigun-Oladotun, NACCIMA’s national PRO.
