DBN trains entrepreneurs in Kaduna to boost MSME financing

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by training entrepreneurs in Kaduna under its Innovation Hub Acceleration Programme. At the centre of this initiative is the graduation of 37 entrepreneurs who have undergone intensive training designed to prepare them for access to finance and […]

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by training entrepreneurs in Kaduna under its Innovation Hub Acceleration Programme.

At the centre of this initiative is the graduation of 37 entrepreneurs who have undergone intensive training designed to prepare them for access to finance and broader market opportunities.

The programme, which also marked the launch of a second cohort, highlights DBN’s commitment to building a pipeline of investment-ready businesses capable of driving job creation and economic growth.

Speaking at the event, DBN’s Capacity Building Manager, Fortune Tamunokuro Granville, said the training focuses on addressing a critical challenge faced by small businesses’ lack of preparedness for financing.

According to her, the initiative equips participants with essential skills in financial literacy, business structuring and market alignment.

“The programme goes beyond training. It prepares entrepreneurs to become investment-ready by strengthening their structures, improving financial literacy and aligning their operations with market realities,” she said.

Granville explained that although DBN does not lend directly to businesses, it supports MSMEs by working with financial institutions and ensuring entrepreneurs are well-prepared to access and manage credit effectively.

Programme Lead, Rudolf Uji, described the Kaduna Innovation Hub launched in December 2025 as a strategic platform for training and empowering small business owners.

He noted that 37 out of the 40 entrepreneurs admitted into the first cohort successfully completed the rigorous programme, which focused on refining business models and improving bankability.

Kaduna State Office Manager, Badamasi Barau, urged investors and private sector players to tap into the growing pool of trained entrepreneurs for partnerships and expansion opportunities.

The programme, supported by the Arab Gulf Fund (AGFund) and other partners, is already gaining momentum, with increasing demand for structured entrepreneurial training.

Sales Manager at Nigeria Glo Limited, Oshoke Ayodele, said the introduction of a second cohort reflects DBN’s long-term vision of scaling entrepreneurial capacity across the country.

He revealed plans to expand the initiative through specialised hubs targeting key sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness and the creative industry.

Representatives of the new cohort, including Saadalu Ahmad Shehu and Okoeonko Bob Sam, expressed optimism about the training, pledging to leverage the platform to build competitive and scalable businesses.

They also called for stronger collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders to accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem.