By Ali Rabiu Ali Jigawa
Jigawa Women Entrepreneurs Network(JIWEN) in partnership with Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperative and Tourism, and Jigawa State Investment Promotion Agency (InvestJigawa) on Thursday organized the JIWEN Business Summit and Trade Fair with the theme “Filling the Gaps: Real Interaction Toward Business Growth for Entrepreneurs in Jigawa State.”
The event, held at the Manpower Development Institute, Dutse, brought together government representatives, financial institutions, regulatory agencies, and entrepreneurs to discuss strategies for expanding business opportunities across the state. The grand opening of the trade fair followed an interactive session earlier in the day.
The wife of the Jigawa State Governor, Hajiya Amina Umar Namadi, who arrived shortly after, praised JIWEN for organizing the event and encouraged women entrepreneurs to remain steadfast in expanding their businesses. She described women as “the backbone of economic activity,” noting their critical role in supporting families and communities.
Convener of the summit, Nuriyya Haruna Bako, delivered the welcome address, after which the Commissioner of Information, Youth, Sports and Culture represented by the Managing Director of Jigawa Television, Alhaji Abba Muhammad Tukur commended JIWEN for driving entrepreneurship in the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Hauwa Zakar, who represented the Commissioner, delivered a goodwill message, expressing hopes that the summit would strengthen women’s confidence and capacity in business.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Alhaji Mahmud Isah Mahmud, highlighted the state government’s commitment to creating an equitable and supportive environment for business growth.
The Jigawa State Manager of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Aminu Saleh, emphasized the importance of business registration. He noted that proper registration not only strengthens the credibility of entrepreneurs but also opens the door to funding opportunities, government support, and wider market access.
Representing the Ministry of Commerce, Permanent Secretary Alhaji Mahmud Isa Ringim commended JIWEN for its efforts in empowering entrepreneurs across the state. He highlighted major business issues that require strategic attention, stressing the need for continuous collaboration between government institutions and private organizations to accelerate economic development.
The Director-General of Invest Jigawa, Hajiya Aisha Sheikh Mujaddadi, delivered remarks focusing on the role of investment in the state’s long-term economic stability. She underscored the importance of creating an environment where investors can thrive and encouraged participants to explore emerging opportunities within Jigawa.
Another speaker, Aliyu Ahmad, emphasized the importance of critical thinking in entrepreneurship. He warned that losing focus in business could lead to failure and urged participants to continually refine their ideas to ensure growth.
Several government agencies and financial institutions were also present to guide entrepreneurs on available opportunities.
The Bank of Industry (BOI) representative, Hayatuddeen Haruna, announced that the Jigawa State Government had provided a ₦2 billion matching fund to support SMEs through non-interest loans. He also encouraged business owners to register their ventures with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to access BOI facilities.
Representing the CAC, Zubaida Abdullahi stressed that business registration is the first and most important step for any entrepreneur. She noted that even content creators are expected to register, adding that the process is simple and does not require hiring a lawyer.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), represented by Engr. Abubakar Isah Batari, reminded producers that every product must meet national standards. He urged consumers to always check for SON certification before purchasing any item.
From NAFDAC, Samira Muhammad Hamza explained that registration with the agency is straightforward once a business has CAC documents and a Tax Identification Number (TIN). She added that both home-based and commercial businesses are required to register at minimal cost.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) representative, Alkasim Hussain, reinforced the importance of obtaining a TIN after CAC registration to ensure full legal compliance for any business.
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) also encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of all relevant registration platforms to accelerate their business growth.
The summit and trade fair are expected to strengthen collaboration between government institutions and the private sector while providing a platform for entrepreneurs particularly women to showcase their products and gain access to new markets.
