The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central) has partnered with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize a four-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among……
The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central) has partnered with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize a four-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria.
The workshop, which commenced this week, is designed to equip MSME operators, stakeholders, and development partners with the knowledge and skills needed to harness the transformative potential of Generative AI in driving business growth, innovation, and competitiveness.
According to the organizers, the initiative seeks to promote the inclusive adoption of AI technologies among small businesses, ensuring that entrepreneurs and emerging enterprises are not left behind in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
Speaking on the significance of the programme, the presidential Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, Dr. Abiodun Essiet noted that MSMEs remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and require practical support to overcome operational challenges and take advantage of emerging technologies.
She explained that the workshop aligns with broader efforts to accelerate economic growth, enhance productivity, and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through technology-driven solutions.
Dr. Essiet emphasised that her office has continued to engage communities across the North Central region and beyond to identify pressing challenges affecting small businesses. She noted that such engagements have provided valuable insights that are helping government and development partners formulate targeted interventions.
According to her, strategic partnerships remain critical in delivering sustainable solutions that address the needs of entrepreneurs at the grassroots level.
The presidential aide further stated that the collaboration with UNDESA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reflects a shared commitment to building local capacities and creating opportunities for MSMEs to thrive in an increasingly digital and knowledge-based economy.
She added that by exposing business owners to the practical applications of Generative AI, the programme would help improve efficiency, expand market access, enhance customer engagement, and unlock new avenues for innovation.
Participants are expected to gain hands-on knowledge on the use of AI-powered tools for business development, content creation, market analysis, operational management, and other enterprise-support functions.
Stakeholders at the workshop expressed optimism that wider adoption of AI technologies among MSMEs would contribute significantly to job creation, economic inclusion, and national development.
