Prince Dapo Abiodun
The Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) at its 5th Nigeria National S.M.E Business Awards 2025, held in Lagos has bestowed the Best Governor in Enterprise and Investment Promotion in Nigeria Award on the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
Three other winners from the state at the ceremony which was themed, “Sustainable Business Practices: The New Competitive Advantage for SMEs”, included Mr. Adebola Sofela who won the Most Supportive State Commissioner Award, Ms. Sola Arobieke was honoured as SME Hero in Public Service, while OgunInvest emerged the Most Vibrant State Investment Promotion Agency in Nigeria for the year.
Speaking during the award presentation ceremony, National President, ASBON, Dr. Femi Egbesola said the award was presented to deserving individual stakeholders and institutions to recognise their efforts on catalysing the SME ecosystem.
“It is our way of encouraging leaders and stakeholders to keep supporting SMEs to grow, scale-up and thrive and push them to do more,” he said.
Responding, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela represented by the Director, Industrial Promotion in the Ministry, Engr. Kehinde Akintomide lauded the ASBON for the recognition, assuring that the State remains strong in its commitment to continuously empower small businesses to flourish.
Sofela, who highlighted some of the MSME-driven reforms carried out by the Abiodun-led administration to include, Ogun State Business Environment Council (OGBEC), MSMEs Business Clinics, establishment of the Ogun State Enterprise Development Agency (OGSEDA), among others, affirming that, ‘’Ogun State will continue to lead with purpose in creating an enabling environment that will place MSMEs at the centre of inclusive growth and economic transformation”.
In his address on the theme, Chief Executive Officer, Fate Foundation, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, stated that in spite of glaring challenges businesses would help themselves by focusing on the various opportunities that abound in the country, adding that the future is bright for those who maintain focus and turn challenges into opportunities.
Other winners at the ceremony included, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) with SME Most Friendly Federal Government Agency, and German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) bagging SME Most Supportive Development Partner in Nigeria; Managing Director, 7up Bottling Company, Mr. Ziad Maalouf also got SME Impact Leader Award/SME Man of the Year.
