The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), in conjunction with key stakeholders, has strongly urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to prioritize strategic collaboration and actively seek mentorship opportunities as crucial elements for building and sustaining thriving businesses.
This call to action was delivered by the Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, through his representative, Mary Kolawole, at the 2025 edition of The Convergence Africa conference. The event, organized by CEOS’ Portal Limited, took place on Friday in Abuja and served as a significant platform for discussions on enterprise growth strategies.
Kolawole emphasized that The Convergence Africa conference, an initiative of CEOS’ Portal Limited, aligns seamlessly with SMEDAN’s core mission of empowering young entrepreneurs through the cultivation of strategic partnerships.
“SMEDAN is open to partnership and will invite CEOS’ Portal Limited for collaboration as the agency is driven by targeted empowerment programmes and strategic collaborations,” Kolawole stated, underscoring the agency’s commitment to working with organizations that share its goals.
The Chief Executive Officer of CEOS’ Portal Limited, Patience Olusuyi, was the driving force behind the conference, which successfully brought together a diverse group of industry leaders and business owners. The primary focus of the discussions was on identifying and implementing effective growth strategies for Nigerian enterprises across various sectors.
Olusuyi explained that The Convergence Africa initiative, now in its second year, is specifically designed “to break barriers, dismantle outdated business mindsets, and create sustainable enterprises that thrive beyond individuals’ efforts.” A key objective of the conference is to equip participating entrepreneurs with the knowledge and connections necessary to scale their businesses and ensure their longevity beyond a ten-year mark.
Adding further weight to the importance of collaboration and mentorship, keynote speaker and renowned leadership strategist Niyi Adesanya challenged entrepreneurs to make these aspects a top priority. “To succeed, entrepreneurs must always seek mentors and collaborations,” Adesanya asserted, highlighting their indispensable role in navigating the complexities of the business world.
Participants at The Convergence Africa conference also benefited from valuable training sessions focused on crucial areas such as succession planning. Entrepreneurs were strongly encouraged to proactively develop robust organizational structures from the very outset of their ventures. The aim of this training was to ensure that their businesses possess the inherent resilience and frameworks necessary to outlive their founders and continue to thrive in the long term.
The organizers of the conference encapsulated its core mission, stating, “The Convergence Africa is a movement designed to empower entrepreneurs to dominate their industries by harnessing the power of partnerships, strategic collaboration, and networking.” The emphasis on these interconnected elements underscores their belief that a collaborative and well-supported entrepreneurial ecosystem is essential for driving sustainable economic growth and innovation within Nigeria.
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