Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said the newly established Borno Fashion Hub will generate 48,000 jobs annually for youth and women in the state.
He stated this at the inauguration of the fashion hub on the sidelines of the 6th Expanded National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinics on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
Shettima said the Federal Government was commitment to empower youth and women through skills development and job creation.
According to him, the Borno Fashion Hub is one of the largest in the country, equipped with modern facilities to support the state’s budding fashion industry.
“This hub has the potential to create 48,000 jobs annually, which is a significant boost to youth employment in the region,” he said, adding that it would serve as a hub for innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship contributing to the state’s economic recovery after years of insurgency.
Shettima said the initiative aligned with the federal government’s vision aimed at strengthening the MSME sector, especially in conflict-affected areas like Borno.
He announced that a N300,000 unconditional grant would be provided to each of the outstanding MSMEs participating in the exhibition, as part of the government efforts to support small businesses and promote sustainable development across the country.
According to Shettima, the grants are non-repayable, reflecting the federal government commitment towards supporting the success and sustainability of small businesses in the region.
The Borno hub, he said, was part of the ongoing national initiative geared towards establishing an Expanded National MSME Clinics in the country.
Gov. Babagana Zulum said that his administration had adopted proactive measures to support SMEs, recognising its role in strengthening resilience amid challenges bedevilling businesses caused by prolonged insurgency in the state.
“The MSME Clinic will revitalise business activities in Borno State, create employment opportunities, and increase income sources for our people,” he said.
Zulum outlined the initiatives being implemented by his administration, including the disbursement of soft loans to empower entrepreneurs and construction of modern markets, establishment of vocational training institutions, and renovation of obsolete skills acquisition centres.
The governor said the MSME clinic would focus on five key areas: funding, skills development, infrastructure, access to markets and technology.
“Additionally, the clinics will provide business registration, training and mentorship services to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
“The expansion of this Clinic is not just a project; it is a demonstration of our belief in the creativity and resilience of the entrepreneurs in Borno State and Nigeria. When MSMEs thrive, they create jobs, reduce poverty, and drive innovation across sectors,” hesaid.
The governor urged entrepreneurs to utilise the resources provided by the MSME clinic to grow their businesses, enhance their skills, and explore new opportunities.
Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, said the clinic was part of the national initiative to provide MSMEs with access to funding, training and market opportunities.
He noted that small business owners in Borno could now access N5 million loans through the Bank of Industry (BoI), to further support their growth.
“The clinic reflects a strong partnership between the Federal and State Governments and is designed to address the core challenges facing MSMEs, from access to funding to skill development,” Adekunle-Johnson said.
The MSME clinic is a flagship programme of the federal government designed to strengthen small businesses to bolster their role in job creation, driving innovation and boosting economic growth.(NAN)
