The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to economic empowerment and improved healthcare delivery, announcing support for thousands of small businesses while also intensifying awareness on the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis (TB).
Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed that his administration has empowered more than 12,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with grants ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦500,000 to support business start-ups and expansion.
The governor made this known at the MSME Business Clinic 3.0, themed “Empowering Businesses, Shaping the Future,” held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta.
Represented by the State Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, Abiodun said the intervention underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening small businesses and promoting inclusive economic growth.
He noted that while over 10,000 MSMEs had received grants between ₦100,000 and ₦300,000, more than 2,000 SMEs were supported with ₦500,000 each to expand their operations.
“It is gratifying to note that our administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to MSME development in Ogun State,” the governor said.
Beyond the grants, Abiodun said the government had deliberately supported women, youths, artisans and trade groups through several social intervention programmes.
According to him, the Oko’owo Dapo Women Empowerment Programme, implemented in collaboration with the Nigeria for Women Project, has empowered more than 54,000 women across the state and disbursed over ₦560 million in revolving grants, while members of Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) have collectively saved more than ₦1.8 billion.
The governor also revealed that the state sustains an annual ₦500 million revolving loan scheme for cooperative societies, while youths have accessed financing ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦10 million through the Ogun State Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Scheme (OG-YES).
He added that the Small and Medium Enterprises Industrial Land Acquisition Scheme (SILAS), designed as a modern industrial hub offering incentives, tax rebates and affordable access to land and infrastructure, is underway to further promote the growth of small businesses in the state.
Abiodun further stated that through partnerships with organisations such as Getfunded Africa Technologies, Microsoft and Google, more than 100,000 SMEs and youths have been exposed to emerging technologies aimed at improving productivity and competitiveness.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Adebola Sofela, described the MSME Business Clinic as a platform for providing practical solutions to business challenges, urging participants to take advantage of opportunities available at the event.
He added that entrepreneurs at the clinic would also be able to register their businesses, obtain Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) and access other services to support their operations.
A guest speaker and tax expert, Olawale Abiola, who delivered a presentation titled “Understanding Nigeria’s New Tax Regime: What MSMEs Must Know, Avoid and Take Advantage Of,” said the current tax laws contain provisions aimed at supporting small businesses.
He explained that businesses earning below ₦800,000 annually, as well as agro-processing firms registered with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), are exempted from tax payments under the new regime.
Abiola advised entrepreneurs to obtain their Tax Identification Numbers, file annual tax returns promptly and avoid transactions with unregistered entities, warning that such dealings could attract penalties of up to ₦5 million.
Meanwhile, as part of activities marking the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day, the Ogun State Government has also reaffirmed its commitment to providing free testing and treatment for tuberculosis across designated health facilities in the state.
Speaking during a sensitisation campaign in Abeokuta, the State Tuberculosis Control Programme Officer, Olusola Taiwo, described the day as an opportunity to educate residents about the disease, emphasising that TB is curable and that testing services are available at no cost.
She explained that tuberculosis is an airborne disease transmitted through droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, noting that prolonged exposure in poorly ventilated environments increases the risk of infection.
According to her, a persistent cough lasting two weeks or more remains the major symptom of TB, while other symptoms include fever, chest pain, loss of appetite and, in advanced stages, coughing up blood.
“We wish to emphasise that early detection is critical. An untreated TB patient can infect between 10 and 15 people in a year,” Taiwo said, urging residents to adopt preventive measures such as maintaining well-ventilated environments, practising good nutrition and covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing.
She also commended the state government for its sustained support in the fight against tuberculosis through regular sensitisation, screening programmes and partnerships with development organisations including Damien Foundation, APIN Public Health Initiatives and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria.
A representative of APIN Public Health Initiatives, Oluwabunmi Adebayo, said the awareness campaign forms part of efforts to reduce the burden of communicable diseases, particularly tuberculosis, which remains a major public health concern in Nigeria and across Africa.
She encouraged individuals experiencing symptoms such as persistent cough, night sweats or unexplained weight loss to visit health facilities for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Some residents who participated in the sensitisation walk, including Adeola Olanipekun and Ismael Kafidipe, said they previously had limited knowledge about tuberculosis but expressed willingness to undergo testing to know their health status.