The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has announced a fresh business support initiative aimed at creating 100 millionaire entrepreneurs through training, grants and market access opportunities.
The initiative will feature at the GROW Nigerian Conference 2026, scheduled to hold from November 8 to 10 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
SMEDAN Director-General, Charles Odii, said the programme was designed to help entrepreneurs overcome challenges such as limited funding, weak business management skills and difficulty reaching customers.
The conference will feature practical masterclasses, business sessions and the Nigeria First Fair, where members of the public can buy directly from Nigerian businesses and discover local products.
SMEDAN’s official conference information lists a ₦30 million grant pool for the Zero to 100 Pitch Competition. The three winners are expected to receive ₦15 million, ₦10 million and ₦5 million respectively. The pitch competition application period has closed, and shortlisted businesses are expected to compete during the conference.
Separately, the agency is offering opportunities to win ₦1 million through selected conference sessions. Session leaders will choose winners from participants attending in person, while two runners-up in each session will receive ₦250,000 each.
The initiative is intended to help business owners turn practical skills and ideas into sustainable enterprises, create jobs and expand their operations. It will also connect small businesses with investors, financial institutions, regulators and potential customers.
The Nigeria First Fair will run throughout the three-day event, with free public entry for registered visitors. It will feature businesses from different parts of the country selling products across sectors, including fashion, food, beauty and technology.
How to benefit
Entrepreneurs interested in the ₦1 million session awards should visit the official conference website, review the available sessions and register for a suitable track. Attendance at the relevant session in Lagos is required; the masterclasses are not available online. General conference registration is free at https://conference.smedan.gov.ng/register. The Zero to 100 pitch competition is closed to new applications. Applicants should check session availability before travelling, as places may be limited and winners are selected by the individual session leaders during sessions.