Wema Bank Plc yesterday launched a major capacity-building initiative for Nigeria’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the launch of the bank’s SME Business School.
Speaking at the launch at the bank’s headoffice yesterday in Lagos, Managing Director, Wema Bank Plc, Mr Ademola Adebise, said micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) account for over 90 per cent of businesses in Nigeria and are a major contributor to the country’s economy, hence the need for their capacity development.
He said that SMEs deserve the right exposure to entrepreneurship education, access to market and information.
He added that small businesses are necessary for growing the economy and therefore must be positioned for success by providing them with enabling environment, knowledge and structure that they require to thrive.
“The role of SMEs in creating and sustaining national development in relation to employment and job creation has been considered a key tool in alleviating poverty,economic emancipation and promoting total well being.
“We have slots to accommodate SMEs who do not currently bank with Wema Bank. All interested SMEs are therefore advised to respond to a call for entry by filling out application forms as published by the bank’s social media pages,” Adebise said.
According to the Retail Divisional Head, Dotun Ifebogun, the school curriculum is designed to close the knowledge gap that plagues most SMEs in the country, leading to poor business structure and management.
The Head of SME business team, Mr Authur Nkeme added that the business school is fully funded by Wema Bank Plc and will be held twice a year across different regions in the country, starting with Lagos with robust curriculum of marketing and sales, innovation, capital management, to mention a few, with support of the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Germany and Development Bank of Nigeria. These courses will also be facilitated by top notch consultant from within and outside Nigeria. There will be online and in-class sessions and attendees will be awarded certificate upon completion.