From ABA’s Desk ✍🏽
Last week at the Business Clinics on Harnessing Nigeria’s Emerging SME Opportunities, I was reminded again:
The average Nigerian SME doesn’t need sympathy.
They need systems, structure, and strategy.
Too often, our businesses are built on passion but not positioned for scalability.
We start with vibes, but forget data.
We dream big, but stay informal.
And we pray for capital, without the credibility to earn it.
Let me take you back…
As a young boy helping my uncle run his small business, I noticed many staff couldn’t remit ₦20 daily.
Not because money wasn’t flowing, but because discipline was missing.
So I changed my mindset.
I worked differently, diligently.
Soon, I no longer needed pocket money. I had created my own little value chain.
Fast-forward to today, and I tell SMEs everywhere:
* Start small. But don’t stay small.
* Structure will beat hustle every time.
* If your business isn’t registered, it’s not ready for real growth.
• Tech isn’t your enemy, it’s your equalizer.
• Partner with others. You’re not meant to build alone.
SMEs are not just “small businesses.”
They are the soul of our GDP:
✔ 96% of all businesses
✔ 50% of national output
✔ 80%+ of employment
✔ And the highest opportunity for women and youth-led transformation.
We discussed real sectors at the clinic:
Agri-processing. Logistics. Light manufacturing. Digital economy.
Healthcare. Fashion. E-commerce. Green innovation.
So what will it take to thrive?
• Lead with data, not emotions.
• Build adaptive models.
• Invest in people, not just assets.
• Create value before you chase money.
• And never forget the God factor, He turns ordinary business efforts into extraordinary impact.
📌 “Africa’s greatest challenge isn’t poverty, it’s missed opportunity.”
The future of Nigeria is already here. It’s wearing overalls, running a side hustle, pushing a dream on tight margins.
Let’s give that future a fighting chance.
With purpose,
Demola Aladekomo
Chairman, Chams Plc
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.