By Khalid Idris Doya

The International Trade Facilitators Association (ITFA), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has trained over 50 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Northeast zone on right structures, knowledge, and frameworks to align with financing and international standards to enable them scale their businesses and access global markets.

The training under the “Sustainability Coaching Program for Nature-Positive MSMEs in Nigeria (SPENM)” held at the SPESSE Centre of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi on Wednesday.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Dr. Abel Owotemu, Technical Advisor and Business Coach with ITFA, said the core program on Business Model Canvas, a globally recognized tool for analyzing and strengthening business value chains.

He said: “We are empowering MSMEs across Nigeria in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme, implemented by UNDP in all six geopolitical zones to build capacity, strengthen value chains, and open new markets for Nigerian MSMEs.”

Dr. Owotemu revealed that the program targets a total of 470 MSMEs in Nigeria. It commenced in Lafia, Nasarawa State for North Central with 60–70 participants, and the Bauchi session attracted over 50 MSMEs from Northeast zone.

He emphasised that the initiative is committed to market readiness, visibility, and certification, helping businesses meet international fair trade and procurement standards.

“Our goal is to ensure that MSMEs, whether based in Bauchi, Zamfara, or Maiduguri, are positioned not just for local relevance but for participation in global trade,” he noted.

He further highlighted that 65–70% of MSMEs in Nigeria are women-led, a trend strongly reflected in the Northeast session.

Dr. Owotemu announced that a national database of trained MSMEs is being created, “This database will facilitate continuous support, certification, and integration into international supply chains, increasing the chances of foreign market access and income in foreign currencies.”

“This creates new income opportunities and strengthens the long-term sustainability of these businesses,” he added.

On challenges observed, Owotemu cited individual capacity gaps, particularly in understanding technical concepts and communication, according to him to address these, the program has deployed 15 to 20 experienced coaches across the regions, many fluent in local languages.

“These coaches provide hands-on mentoring, guidance, and practical feedback ensuring that no participant is left behind,” he said.

“This is not just about local empowerment. It is part of a broader international strategy to elevate Nigerian MSMEs and equip them to thrive in the global marketplace,” he concluded.

Also speaking, Mr. Abdullahi Sidi-Aliyu, Director of Export Trade Development at ITFA, described the SPENM initiative as a transformative platform aimed at building resilient and profitable social enterprises in Nigeria.

“Many of you may have experience with grants, but this program and any funding you may receive, is not an endpoint. It is catalytic funding a strategic springboard to help you grow, evolve, and become self-sustaining,” he noted.

He said the vision behind the SPENM program is to help MSMEs generate profit while addressing critical environmental and social challenges, turning their ventures into models of sustainability and impact.

“We aim to help you build business models that are economically viable and integrated with nature-positive practices. Your operations should benefit the environment and community, this is the future of responsible enterprise,” Aliyu said.

Mr. Sidi-Aliyu explained that participants are introduced to Fair Trade principles, with special emphasis on the Fair for Life (FFL) certification an essential credential for accessing ethical and international markets.

He continued said, “Fair trade is more than a compliance tool. It offers a competitive edge, opening new markets, earning consumer trust, and positioning your brand as a responsible, impact-driven business.”

According to him, participants will also gain visibility through the soon-to-be-launched ITFA Directory, an online platform that will showcase nature-positive and socially responsible enterprises to global investors, buyers, and partners.

In addition to the core training, he said MSMEs will benefit from ongoing group coaching delivered by seasoned business coaches, “These coaches will offer tailored, practical guidance as you implement your strategies and grow your enterprise. We want to ensure that every participant is supported throughout their transformation journey.”

Mr. Sidi-Aliyu encouraged all participants to actively engage in the program, collaborate with peers, and take full advantage of the resources available.

By Our Correspondent

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps has begun a two-day training for driving school proprietors and instructors in the North East towards entrenching highway safety in the region and Nigeria.
Malam Shehu Mohammed, stated this during the 2025 national workshop for driving school proprietors and instructors held in Gombe, on Thursday.
The Corps Marshal who was represented by Mr Samson Kaura, the Sector Commander, FRSC Gombe State Command, said that the training was aimed at engaging no fewer than 80 driving school operators in the region as part of the agency’s move to improve standards of driver and rider training in Nigeria.
Mohammed said that it was imperative to train the operators as their acts could also contribute to human errors that cause crashes.
According to him, the workshop provides all stakeholders opportunity to collectively address human-related errors which he described as the leading cause of road traffic accidents.
The FRSC boss also warned driving school operators against engaging in sharp practices aimed at boosting their profit while compromising safety on roads.
He said that there was need for driving school operators to prioritise professionalism and improved road safety.
He stated that driving school operators were critical stakeholders in efforts at ensuring highways safety as they were the first point of contact between would-be drivers and the culture of road safety.
He said it was in view of that the agency is strengthening capacity of these operators while cautioning them against practices that could undermine safety on roads.
He said that FRSC has been training driving school operators through its Driving Schools Standardisation Programme (DSSP) aimed at improving quality, uniformity and integrity of driver training nationwide.
“However, there are still significant gaps as some schools continue to cut corners; some prioritise profit over safety.
“Some struggle with infrastructural deficits, regulatory compliance and the professional development of their instructors,” he said.
Mohammed commended driving school operators in the country, describing them as “partners bound by a shared mission: to produce drivers and riders who value human life, obey traffic laws and who contribute positively to the national economy.”
The Corps Marshall called on the operators to appreciate the responsibility they owe to the society through credible discharge of the tasks and upholding the ethics and standards of the profession.
He expressed optimism that standards in the operations of driving schools would improve tremendously after deliberations at the workshop.
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State commended FRSC for ensuring sanity on the road through its DSSP, a gesture he said would strengthen highway safety.
Yahaya, represented by his deputy, Manassah Jatau, also called for drug testing on road users in the country, noting that some crashes were under the influence of drugs.
Mr Victor Akpan, the Gombe State chairman of Driving Schools Association commended the FRSC for organising the training, stressing that it would assist them in improving the standard of driver and rider training in the North East and Nigeria.
Our correspondent reports that the theme of the workshop is : “Entrenching Highway Safety in Nigeria Through Standardised Drivers and Riders Training.”