In a step towards addressing the economic marginalisation of Abuja’s Original Inhabitants (OIs), the Mai Jagora Peace and Development Initiative has partnered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
The partnership seeks to empower indigenous communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through access to entrepreneurship support, business registration assistance, and equipment provision.
During an advocacy visit to the SMEDAN FCT office, the NGO formally introduced its initiative and sought institutional backing for inclusive economic development.
The FCT manager of SMEDAN, Mary Kolawole,welcomed the collaboration and reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to work with credible organisations committed to grassroots empowerment.
She acknowledged the long-standing challenges faced by Abuja’s Original Inhabitants, especially in terms of economic exclusion, and stressed that SMEDAN is dedicated to supporting individuals with viable business interests.
Kolawole encouraged Mai Jagora to organise a community outreach programme, allowing SMEDAN to directly engage with residents and educate them on available schemes.
The NGO also submitted a formal advocacy document outlining specific areas for collaboration, including targeted support for youth and women-led enterprises.
This partnership forms part of a broader mission to restore the civic rights and cultural identity of the OIs, who have faced systemic marginalisation since the nation’s capital was moved from Lagos to Abuja.
