Date: 2016-12-07

The human resources and financial consultants have identified Small and Medium-scale Enterprises as potent mechanism to address the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria.

Those who spoke on the subject include the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Rha Consulting, Mr. Rilwan Abarshi; Managing Director, Lifefount International Hospital, Dr. Rebecca Adeyeye; and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Business Support Microfinance Bank Limited, Mrs. Ekaette Umoh.

Speaking during the Lifefount leadership and business summit in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Tuesday, they called for an enabling environment for the SMEs, adding that entrepreneurs should have easy access to capital.

They also said the current recession in the country could be a blessing in disguise as it could help people to become creative in business, employment and consumption.

Abarshi said the development of entrepreneurship was a major way to address unemployment, adding that people should have the mind-set of creating employment opportunities. He also urged successful business people to train and mentor young entrepreneurs.

Adeyeye said the summit was aimed at providing useful tips to ensure the sustenance of SMEs, noting that many SMEs had gone moribund because of financial and management challenges.

She said, "SMEs are platforms to address unemployment. The government cannot employ everyone; even the government is having some challenges, but if unemployment is to be reduced to the minimal level, people need to rise up and start doing business.

"Access to finance should be made easier for SMEs and there should be enabling business environment. Government has roles in promoting businesses. Some of the measures from some agencies are very stringent and do not encourage business growth."

Ekaette said Nigeria's environment was not encouraging the growth of SMEs, adding that agriculture remained a sector that could provide massive employment.

"Nigerian businesses should be given soft grades because the environment is very tough and multiple taxation should be avoided. We need more people to open businesses and not to close them, because they are tired and frustrated due to the absence of an enabling and attractive environment that we are operating in," she said.