NWDC Partners Bank of Industry to Boost MSMEs, Create Jobs Across 7 Northwest States
The North-West Development Commission, NWDC, on Wednesday hosted a high-level delegation from the Bank of Industry, BOI, to explore a strategic partnership aimed at unlocking over ₦10.5 billion in funding for MSMEs and driving inclusive industrial growth across the Northwest.
The meeting focused on a coordinated regional enterprise development framework to address key constraints in Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. These include limited access to affordable finance, low industrial activity, youth and women unemployment, and economic challenges linked to insecurity.
Welcoming the delegation, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NWDC, Professor Shehu Ma’aji, stated that the Commission is committed to partnerships that deliver measurable impact to communities in the region.
“The Northwest is Nigeria’s major agricultural and commercial corridor, linking Lagos to Kano and onward to Jibia and key North African markets. But we cannot unlock this potential without structured financing for our MSMEs and industries. NWDC is committed to working with BOI to move from fragmented interventions to a scalable, regional development finance platform that serves our people,” he said.
Leading the BOI team, the Executive Director, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. Oluwatoyin Edu, said BOI’s strategy prioritizes sustainable and inclusive industrial development through partnerships with subnational governments.
“We are delighted to be here to present a proposal for partnership with NWDC. BOI is already collaborating with states across the region. Discussions with the Zamfara State Government have reached an advanced stage for the signing of an MoU next month on a ₦7.5 billion management fund and a ₦3 billion matching fund. Our objective is to replicate this model across the Northwest through NWDC,”_ Mr. Edu stated.
The BOI team presented a 6-point framework for enterprise-led development. Top priorities include MSME financing for underserved businesses, support for agro-processing, development of industrial clusters, and targeted funding for women and youth-owned enterprises.
Both institutions agreed to set up a Joint Technical Working Group to finalize the partnership framework and implementation modalities within the next 30 days.
NWDC reiterated that enterprise development, job creation, and human capital investment remain central to its mandate to accelerate infrastructure and socio-economic transformation in Northwest Nigeria.
A statement issued by Abdulrashid Safana, NWDC’s Director of Press and Public Relations disclosed that the
Commission was established to drive infrastructure development and human capital investment in the seven states of Northwest Nigeria.
