In a move hailed as a significant stride toward fostering entrepreneurship and SME development in Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Charles Odii as the Chief Executive Officer of the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). The decision reflects a strategic choice to entrust the agency’s leadership to a seasoned professional with a proven track record in empowering young entrepreneurs and SMEs.
Charles Odii, the founder and executive director of SME100Africa, has dedicated his career to inspiring, empowering, and equipping young entrepreneurs across Africa. Armed with a BSc in Management Information System from Covenant University and an MSc in Marketing and Communication from Pan Atlantic University, Charles brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role.
Having honed his skills in business development at Rocket Internet, Charles further sharpened his expertise as the Chief Operating Officer at Red Media Africa. His leadership and strategic vision have consistently contributed to the growth and success of ventures under his purview.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to appoint Charles Odii as the CEO of SMEDAN has received commendation from the BAT’S 4/4 Renewed Hope Agenda Support Group. The group recognizes the alignment between Charles’s entrepreneurial leadership and the administration’s commitment to economic development, particularly in the SME sector.
In a statement, the support group praised President Tinubu for his foresight in selecting a leader of Charles Odii’s caliber to steer SMEDAN. The president’s commitment to empowering small and medium-scale enterprises aligns with Charles’s mission to provide access to finance, markets, networks, capacity development, and information for young entrepreneurs.
The appointment is seen as a testament to President Tinubu’s dedication to promoting inclusive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. As Charles Odii takes the helm at SMEDAN, expectations are high for transformative initiatives that will further catalyze the growth of SMEs across Nigeria.
The BAT’S 4/4 Renewed Hope Agenda Support Group expresses optimism that Charles Odii’s leadership will bring innovation, efficiency, and impactful strategies to SMEDAN, fostering an environment where small businesses can thrive and contribute significantly to the nation’s economic prosperity.
