The Oyo State Government has launched a statewide data collection exercise targeting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across all 33 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas. The initiative is aimed at strengthening economic planning while improving access to funding and business support programmes for small-scale enterprises.
The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives, and Industry, Hon. Adeniyi Olabode Adebisi, explained that the exercise seeks to enhance the accuracy and reliability of MSME data in the state. He noted that credible data would enable businesses to benefit more effectively from government policies as well as international development interventions.
According to the commissioner, the data collection will adopt a train-the-trainer model. Selected aggregators will be deployed across various local governments to coordinate the process, working closely with trained field agents to ensure comprehensive coverage of businesses at the grassroots level.
Government officials added that lessons from the 2024 data collection exercise informed the redesign of the current process. They emphasized that the new approach is technology-driven, allowing for real-time data capture, improved validation, and greater efficiency in compiling enterprise records.
The exercise is expected to cover a broad spectrum of MSMEs, including traders, artisans, farmers, and small-scale industrialists. Authorities say the initiative will provide equal opportunity for all businesses to be documented and positioned to access future government support and economic empowerment programmes.
