The Federal Government will allocate more than N1 billion to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises under the 2026 National MSME Awards, a senior presidential aide announced on Tuesday.
Temitola Adekunle Johnson, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, disclosed at a media briefing in Abuja that the awards portal will open on April 7 and close on May 7, urging businesses nationwide to apply. The 2026 edition, themed “Renewed Hope for MSMEs,” will prioritize financial grants to directly support business growth rather than previous non cash rewards such as cars and houses.
“This year we are focusing on funding, giving grants that can directly support and grow MSME businesses. With the support of our partners, we will be spending up to about one billion naira for these awards,” Adekunle Johnson said.
Winners will also benefit from mentorship programs coordinated by government agencies, post-award advisory services, market access opportunities, and potential participation in international exhibitions. The initiative will recognize innovation, creativity, employment generation, and the use of technology across key sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, textiles, creativity, innovation, and beauty and wellness.
Sarah Ajayi, representing the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, emphasized compliance and proper documentation, urging applicants to submit regulatory approvals, tax records, certifications, and high-quality video presentations demonstrating production processes and value addition.
The awards grand finale will hold on June 27 to mark United Nations World MSME Day, with stakeholders pledging full support to ensure transparency, credible selection, and long-term MSME development across Nigeria.
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