MAF Facilitates High-Level Dialogue Between Business Regulators, Aspiring Ijesa Entrepreneurs
By Gbotemi Oriola
The Mofolorunso Awomolo Foundation (MAF) has facilitated a High-Level Dialogue between business regulators and youths from Ijesaland aspiring to become entrepreneurs.
The impactful interactive session was held on Wednesday, 30th July 2025, between FAME bootcampees and representatives of key business regulatory and enterprise support agencies in Osun State.
The session was designed to foster understanding of Nigeria regulatory ecosystem, encourage compliance, and link aspiring entrepreneurs to institutional support and incentives.
The session featured agency-led presentations, a three-hour plenary discussion, and a highly engaging Question and Answer segment, where participants received direct, practical responses to all questions raised.
The 30 FAME bootcampees, whose proposed business ventures cut across leatherworks, food processing, catering services, fashion design, information technology, consumer goods production, and photography benefitted immensely from the interaction.
At the FAME Bootcamp, the invited agencies provided a comprehensive overview of the services they offer to support aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) outlined its key services, including business development training, access to finance, capacity building, and support for formalization of MSMEs.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) presented its export readiness support, market linkage initiatives, product packaging and branding assistance, and training on global trade standards to help MSMEs expand into international markets.
The Bank of Industry (BOI) offered insights into its funding windows, business advisory services, and tailored loan products for startups and growing enterprises.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) emphasized its role in setting and enforcing product standards, conducting conformity assessments, and supporting MSMEs to meet local and international quality benchmarks.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) highlighted its support for businesses in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors, including product registration, safety certification, and guidance on regulatory compliance.
Together, these agencies demonstrated a shared commitment to empowering entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed for sustainable business growth.
The session was highly educative, practical, and empowering, providing the FAME bootcampees with a clearer understanding of the regulatory requirements for launching and scaling businesses.
While expressing appreciation to the agencies and their representatives, Dr Olu Olujide, on behalf of Mofolorunso Awomolo Foundation (MAF), Ilesa Business School (IBS) and all FAME
Bootcampees requested a further collaboration with Ilesa Business School to further contribute to the achievement of their mandates.
The bootcampees called on Ijesa patriots, traditional leaders, policymakers, and business stakeholders to establish sustainable platforms for mentorship, funding, and institutional support for Ijesa aspiring entrepreneurs. They said the youth of Ijesaland are ready to work, saying that they we are not lazy.
They sougt opportunity, guidance, and a system that believes in their potential.Meanwhile, the Business Regulators Interactive Session reaffirms the FAME Bootcamps vision to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs with not only business knowledge and technical skills, but also institutional linkages and regulatory literacy required to build legally compliant, globally competitive, and impactful enterprises.
