The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), in Ekiti State, has provided loans to 98 microbusiness owners and operators across various Local Government Areas.
The Director-General of NDE, Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, disclosed during the disbursement event in Ado-Ekiti that this initiative is part of the agency’s strategy to foster economic growth and alleviate poverty.
Under the Micro Enterprise Enhancement Loan Scheme (MEELS) of the Directorate’s Small Scale Enterprise Department, selected beneficiaries will each receive N20,000 to bolster their ventures. Fikpo, represented by the NDE state coordinator Sanusi Akeem, emphasized the government’s commitment to creating job opportunities for youth and reducing poverty nationwide.
The scheme aims to: boost the economy by providing financial leverage for small-scale traders, enhance the operational capacity of microenterprise owners, and generate employment opportunities. Fikpo congratulated the beneficiaries, urging them to maximize the opportunity to improve their income-generating capabilities.
He highlighted that the loan carries a three-month moratorium and must be repaid within a year to facilitate wider accessibility. He also lauded the collaboration between the Ekiti State government and the directorate in combating poverty.
