SMEDAN Pushes for Traditional Rulers' Role in Grassroots Development — full story

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has strongly advocated for enhanced collaboration between traditional institutions and government agencies tasked with intervention programs. The agency's objective is to bolster food security, foster wealth creation, and accelerate national development across Nigeria. SMEDAN highlighted that government initiatives and policies, when crafted without adequate input from local communities, frequently fall short in addressing the genuine needs and realities of the populace, especially at the grassroots level.

Mr. Charles Odii, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, conveyed this crucial message during his keynote address at the 2026 Ulefunta Annual Lecture, which took place in Akure, Ondo State, on Wednesday. A copy of his speech, titled ‘Food security, wealth creation and national development: building strategic partnerships between traditional institutions and intervention agencies,’ was made public on Thursday.

According to Mr. Odii, traditional rulers and community leaders possess invaluable insights into their local areas. This includes a deep understanding of customs, land utilization, economic potential, and specific challenges, all of which are vital for effective development planning. He emphasized, "We cannot sit in Abuja and make policies for people at the rural and community level. For these policies to work, we must first involve community owners, community leaders and stakeholders in the design." He further stressed that "Community participation, transparency, impact measurement, inclusion and sustainability are critical to the success of all government intervention programmes."

To facilitate deeper engagement of traditional rulers and community leaders in enterprise development, Mr. Odii revealed that SMEDAN has launched its Community Enterprise Development Programme. This initiative is structured to ensure that traditional institutions are actively involved from the initial stages to the completion of development projects, rather than being consulted only after key decisions have been finalized. The SMEDAN boss elaborated that these institutions can significantly assist government bodies by mobilizing farmers, artisans, women, and youth; identifying authentic economic opportunities; and promoting community ownership of development programs within their respective domains.

Furthermore, Mr. Odii underscored the necessity of transforming agriculture beyond mere subsistence farming. He urged for a comprehensive development of the entire agricultural value chain, encompassing aspects such as processing, packaging, logistics, technology, and marketing.

In response, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, the Deji of Akure Kingdom, acknowledged that the program serves to bridge the existing gap between traditional institutions and government intervention agencies. He added that its primary aim is to expose rural residents, farmers, and young entrepreneurs to available funding and other development prospects. The monarch affirmed that traditional institutions would act as crucial intermediaries connecting intervention agencies with the grassroots population, noting that participating farmers' associations, community leaders, and traditional chiefs had already been mobilized to disseminate this vital information within their communities. Oba Aladelusi also described the Ulefunta Festival as an annual socio-cultural gathering that promotes tourism and cultural activities, clarifying that it is entirely free from fetish practices.

Earlier in the event, Olu Adekunle Ajanaku, who chairs the 2026 Ulefunta Festival Committee, explained that the colloquium was organized to enlighten rural dwellers, farmers, and budding entrepreneurs about government funding and development opportunities. Mr. Ajanaku highlighted that the festival has consistently garnered global recognition due to its inclusive nature and its role in promoting the cultural values, social life, and aspirations of the people. He expressed optimism that the renewed sense of unity among the three Akure-speaking local government areas would culminate in the establishment of the Akure People’s Central Council and the Akure Traditional Council.