Mic Conversation: Business Leaders, Government Agencies Rally Entrepreneurs in Abuja

By Genesis ogiri

...Abuja Enterprise Agency, NEPC, and Experts call for collaboration, resilience, and global readiness

Abuja — It was a gathering of ideas and inspiration as business leaders, government representatives, and development experts converged at the Mic Conversation to engage entrepreneurs on the future of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), stressing collaboration, resilience, and proper positioning for global competitiveness.

The First Speaker, Maryam Saleh Bello, emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership, noting that no entrepreneur can run a truly successful business without a clear relationship with government agencies.

 According to her, collaboration remains a critical key to business sustainability and growth. She also highlighted 21 government SME opportunities currently available through the Abuja Enterprise Agency, urging entrepreneurs to seize these lifelines and stay updated through the agency’s social media platforms. Commending government interventions, she affirmed that “government is doing a lot to support SMEs and business growth.”

The Second Speaker, Dr. Valentino Heaven, a Business Development Services Provider, stressed the need for entrepreneurs to build strong internal structures before aiming for international recognition.

 He advised business owners to “put their house in order” by restructuring operations, cultivating resilience, and acquiring trending knowledge that drives competitiveness. According to him, “global recognition will only come to those who prepare adequately, and patriotism to one’s nation must precede international validation.”

The representative of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) added another dimension, speaking on the critical role of certification and standards in accessing global markets. She encouraged participants to seek export process information, meet product standards, and leverage NEPC support to ease their entry into international trade.

The event also featured a grant presentation to two entrepreneurs and awards to individuals who have made outstanding impact in business. The recognitions were hailed as proof that Mic Conversation is not only about dialogue but also about tangible empowerment.

Speaking on the vision behind the platform, Ambassador Aina Oladipo Micheal, the convener of Mic Conversation, reaffirmed his commitment to using the initiative as a tool for driving economic progression in Nigeria. He emphasized that continuous dialogue, partnerships, and collaboration between the private sector and government agencies are vital to accelerating national development.

In conclusion, speakers urged participants to exploit every available avenue to market and sell their products instead of waiting passively for opportunities. Dr. Valentino Heaven pledged his support to help entrepreneurs push their ideas forward, while charging them to “stop suffering in silence and start leveraging available platforms.”

The Mic Conversation ended with a united message: collaboration, resilience, patriotism, and proper positioning remain the backbone of sustainable entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

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