FG, Private Sector Urged to Partner on MSMEs Census.

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Stakeholders are urging the Federal Government to collaborate with the private sector, particularly business membership organisations, to conduct a comprehensive census of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This call comes as the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment plans to conduct a nationwide census of MSMEs in 2025.

The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, described the planned census as a “critical step toward establishing a precise, data-driven roadmap for empowering MSMEs.” The Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, echoed this sentiment.

Organised private sector groups, including the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, and the National Association of Small-Scale Industrialists, have welcomed the idea of an MSMEs census. They argue that effective policy formation and intervention depend on current and reliable data.

LCCI President Gabriel Idahosa compared the planned MSMEs census to a periodic data update, stating, “The NBS has its system for gathering that data.” Dr Femi Egbesola, President of ASBON, described the proposed census as a “welcome development,” highlighting the need for accurate data on MSMEs, which are “the engine of growth.

Egbesola emphasised the importance of collaboration between the government and private sector, saying, “We should co-create, co-own, co-implement, and co-monitor the census process.” He also stressed the need to include nanobusinesses, which constitute 87% of MSMEs, in the census.

Segun Kuti-George, National Vice President of NASSI, backed the census, describing it as “a step in the right direction.” He cautioned against data inflation by regions and urged the government to ensure the credibility of the process.

Adewale Oyerinde, Director-General of NECA, emphasised the need to establish trust in the census process, stating, “For any meaningful roadmap or plan, you need data.” He warned against including “emergency” MSMEs that might distort the figures.

The census aims to provide accurate data on MSMEs, which will inform policy decisions and support their growth. As Egbesola noted, “If we get this done, I am sure that the landscape of the MSME ecosystem will change because a lot of new revelations will come up from the census. A lot of new policies will arise because of the census, and I am sure that eventually, it will translate to the growth of the MSME ecosystem.”

Oyerinde also highlighted the importance of reassuring MSMEs that the census is not for taxation purposes. “One impediment, if not addressed, is the paucity of trust in past administrations. It is important to let the MSMEs know that the census is not for tax purposes but aimed at enabling the government to be better positioned to support their growth,” he explained.

The planned census is not the first attempt to measure the MSME sector. In 2017, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) conducted a national MSME survey in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The survey reported a total of 41.54 million enterprises, with microbusinesses accounting for 99.8% of the total.

Dr. Yemi Kale, the then Statistician-General of the NBS, noted that the survey provided valuable insights into the MSME sector. “The survey showed that the top SME states were Lagos, Oyo, and Osun, while the states with the fewest SMEs were Yobe, Bayelsa, and Borno,” he said.

The stakeholders are hopeful that the planned census will provide more accurate and up-to-date data on the MSME sector, which will inform policy decisions and support the growth of MSMEs in Nigeria.

As Egbesola emphasized, “We want a transparent process. Not just (to say) that we have X number of MSMEs after the census, but to be able to have things that will be verifiable. That will be important for us.”

The government and private sector stakeholders are expected to work together to ensure the success of the census and provide accurate data that will support the growth of MSMEs in Nigeria.

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