By Chiamaka Ijeh, Business Correspondent
🇳🇬 In an era where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contend with economic instability, erratic policies, and financing hurdles, Access Bank is carving a path toward sustainable support for Nigeria’s entrepreneurial backbone.
The leading financial institution recently teamed up with global consulting firm Deloitte to host its SME Business Clinic in Lagos, themed “Building a Resilient, Profitable and Future-Ready Business in Nigeria.” The clinic offered hands-on advisory services and strategic guidance tailored to help entrepreneurs navigate Nigeria’s evolving business terrain.
Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head of SME Banking at Access Bank, highlighted the bank’s three-fold approach to SME support: financing, access to business intelligence, and market linkage.
“We’re not just offering loans. We’re equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge and access they need to thrive—even in unpredictable times,” she explained.
Deloitte experts provided one-on-one consultations, covering topics such as financial management, regulatory compliance, and growth strategy. The clinic also spotlighted Access Bank’s tiered support model designed to serve enterprises from grassroots nano-businesses to maturing corporates.
“For businesses that may not qualify for traditional loans, we’ve rolled out flexible, collateral-free financing options based on cash flow,” Olubitan added.
Rob Giles, Access Bank’s Senior Banking Advisor, reinforced the importance of preparing SMEs before disbursing credit.
“We’re lending for impact. Whether it’s financing working capital or assets, our goal is to see businesses grow—not just survive,” Giles said.
From Deloitte, Toluwalogo Odutayo, Partner in Tax and Regulatory Services, stressed the importance of information access.
“Lack of knowledge has buried many promising businesses. Our goal is to close that gap with clear, actionable advice,” she stated.
Attendees like Simon Kennedy of Enable Integrated International Services and Ogechi Eze of Oges Closet and Hair Hub expressed gratitude for the clinic’s relevance and transparency.
“Access Bank has been a reliable partner for years. This clinic gave me clarity on growth strategies and finance. It’s a game-changer,” Eze remarked.
The initiative reflects a broader shift toward strategic SME enablement, recognizing that Nigeria’s economic potential is closely tied to the resilience and success of its small business community.