NASME President, Yerima describes women as entrepreneur trailblazers

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By Anthony Maliki, Abuja

The President, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima, has lauded women as trailblazer entrepreneurs in the small scale Industry sector.

He made the remarks at the occasion of the celebration of International Women’s Day in Abuja.

According to him, the International Women’s Day is a day not just to celebrate the brilliance, resilience, and boundless potential of women, but also to reflect and recommit ourselves to a more inclusive and equitable future.

Dr. Yerima noted that this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” with the sub-theme “Step Up, Impact Her, Change the World,” could not be more timely or powerful.

He pointed out that we are in an era where bold ideas, brave actions, and inclusive economies are no longer optional – they are urgent.

The President stressed that women, especially those within the SME ecosystem, are not just participants in development; they are drivers of innovation, pillars of communities, and builders of nations.

“And yet, many of them still face structural barriers that limit their access to finance, technology, markets, and decision-making platforms. At NASME, we believe that empowering a woman entrepreneur is not charity – it is smart economics. It is a strategic investment with exponential returns,” Dr. Yerima emphasized.

He challenged every stakeholder in Nigeria ecosystem – government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, corporate entities, and fellow business leaders – to accelerate action by designing gender-responsive policies that unlock opportunities for women in business.

The President noted that these policies should include providing accessible finance, training, and digital tools tailored to female-led enterprises, mentoring and creating inclusive networks that empower the next generation of women innovators and leaders.

He said at NASME, it is not just celebrating women today, but are stepping up, committing to increase support for women-focused initiatives, scale up our women-in-SMEs programs, and ensure that every woman within it network is equipped to not only survive but to thrive.