By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – Stakeholders across government institutions, the private sector, and youth development platforms have urged Nigerian youths and small business owners to take fuller advantage of government empowerment initiatives, grants, and the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, stressing that broader participation is essential for entrepreneurship growth, improved access to education, and inclusive national development.

The call was made at the People’s Roundtable (TPR) Dialogue held in Abuja, where speakers including Ms. Adeola Ademokoya, representing the Convener, Emmanuel Ayantayo; the Director of Administration at the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Zino Ugboma, speaking on behalf of the Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr; and entrepreneur Ubi Franklin addressed participants on youth participation in governance, entrepreneurship, and public programmes.

Representing the convener, Ademokoya explained that the dialogue was convened to deepen collaboration between policymakers and citizens while expanding public awareness of empowerment opportunities available through government institutions and their partners.

She highlighted the role of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), led by Charles Odey, noting that the agency continues to provide training, business support services, and strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening small and medium-scale enterprises nationwide.

She observed that limited awareness remains a major barrier preventing many entrepreneurs from accessing existing government portals, scholarships, grants, and funding platforms designed to support business expansion and innovation.

“If you are a small business owner, take advantage of available platforms and visit relevant offices to ask questions. There are opportunities for scholarships, grants, and funding support,” she said.

Ademokoya added that even where some agencies do not directly finance businesses, they often facilitate partnerships that connect entrepreneurs to funding organisations and providers of technical assistance.

She further noted that the People’s Roundtable initiative seeks to move beyond discussions by enabling direct engagement between citizens, business leaders, and policymakers, while an upcoming web application will centralise information on government opportunities and empowerment programmes.

“You cannot remain at home and complain without making efforts to explore available opportunities. Hard work and informed participation remain critical to personal and national progress,” she stated.

Other stakeholders emphasized the importance of civic education in nurturing responsible and informed citizens, particularly among young Nigerians and women aspiring to leadership roles, noting that strengthening citizenship education remains vital for building national consciousness, leadership capacity, and social responsibility.

Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director of NELFUND, Ugboma encouraged eligible students and young Nigerians to access the Federal Government’s expanded student loan scheme, assuring participants of government readiness to support students through accessible education financing.

Entrepreneur and entertainment executive Ubi Franklin, in his remarks, stressed that youth participation in governance and policymaking remains essential for sustainable national development, noting that development programmes become more impactful when young people actively contribute to shaping them.

Participants at the dialogue agreed that sustained collaboration between government agencies, private organisations, and civil society groups remains crucial for translating government policies and partnerships into tangible economic opportunities for Nigerian youths and entrepreneurs.