As part of activities to celebrate International Women’s Day, the Osun Youths Mobilization Office, in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), is set to launch empowerment for young women who aspire to start or grow their businesses.
In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to Osun Governor on Youth Mobilization, Hon. Oyewale Segun.
For many years, Osun State has been known as a civil service-driven economy, with government jobs being the primary source of employment. However, in recent times, more young people have begun exploring entrepreneurship to build sustainable livelihoods. Despite this shift, many aspiring business owners, especially young women, struggle with a lack of guidance, mentorship, and the resources needed to navigate the challenges of starting and running a business.
We have designed a monthly business mentorship and support program to bridge this gap. The inaugural edition will be held at SMEDAN Office Hall, Lamenco Junction, Òṣogbo, Osun State, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. In honour of International Women’s Day, the first edition will focus exclusively on young women. This initiative celebrates women and provides accurate, practical support to help them succeed in business.
Through this program, participants will receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals who share valuable insights on business planning, marketing, financial management, and growth strategies. Many people have great business ideas but don’t know where to start. This mentorship will give them the proper knowledge and confidence to take the next step.
In addition to mentorship, one of the most significant advantages of this program is that participants will have their businesses registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) at no cost. Registering a business can often be expensive and confusing for new entrepreneurs. However, we want to make this process as easy as possible for young women looking to formalize their businesses.
Beyond that, each participant will also receive a SMEDAN certificate. This certification is an essential step for small businesses, as it gives them access to funding opportunities, business support programs, and other government initiatives aimed at helping entrepreneurs grow.
This program is essential to promoting entrepreneurship and financial independence for young women in Osun. When women are given the right tools and opportunities, they contribute significantly to economic growth, job creation, and innovation. However, many still face challenges accessing the support they need to succeed in business. That is why we are committed to ensuring that more women have the knowledge, resources, and networks needed to thrive.
We encourage all young women in Osun who have a business idea or are already running a small business to take advantage of this opportunity. Whether you’re just starting or looking for ways to expand, this program is designed to provide the support you need to move forward.
We also call on private organizations, NGOs, and business leaders to support initiatives like this that create a more inclusive and supportive business environment for women. Empowering women in business is not just about individual success—it is about strengthening families, communities, and the economy as a whole.
Details on how to participate will be shared through our official communication channels in the coming days. The venue for this landmark event is SMEDAN Office Hall, Lamenco Junction, Òṣogbo, Osun State. We look forward to welcoming a new wave of women entrepreneurs in Osun and seeing their businesses grow.
