FG agency SMEDAN has announced fresh business funding for Nigerian entrepreneurs - grants, training and chance to win ₦1 million at GROW Nigerian Conference 2026, Nov 8-10 in Lagos. Free registration. See how to register and benefit.
SMEDAN Announces Fresh Business Funding: Grants, Training & Chance To Win ₦1 Million At GROW Nigerian Conference 2026
Good news for Nigerian business owners!
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) - the Federal Government agency for small businesses - has announced a fresh business funding opportunity for Nigerian entrepreneurs.
The programme aims to create 100 millionaire entrepreneurs through training, grants and market access.
It will feature at the GROW Nigerian Conference 2026.
CONFERENCE DETAILS:
Theme: GROW Nigerian: The Next Frontier for Innovation, Policy and Market Access
Date: November 8 to 10, 2026 - This Weekend!
Venue: Ecobank Pan African Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos
Organised by: SMEDAN in partnership with GIZ, MTN, Korea International Cooperation Agency and other partners
Entry: FREE to attend - But you must register
WHAT YOU WILL BENEFIT:
1. GRANTS - Zero to 100 Pitch Competition
- Prize pool: ₦30 Million on official SMEDAN site - part of ₦100 Million total initiative
- 1st Place: ₦15 Million
- 2nd Place: ₦10 Million
- 3rd Place: ₦5 Million
- Final and prize presentation: November 10
- Note: Pitch application is CLOSED. Shortlist was announced Nov 2. 10 businesses will go to semi-final Day 2, then live final Day 3. If you applied, check your email. If you did NOT apply, you can still attend to learn and network.
2. CHANCE TO WIN ₦1 MILLION - Conference Sessions
- SMEDAN is offering opportunities to win ₦1 Million through selected conference sessions.
- Session leaders will choose winners from participants attending IN PERSON.
- Two runners-up in each session will receive ₦250,000 each.
- You MUST attend the session in Lagos. Masterclasses are NOT available online.
- Check session availability before travelling - places are limited.
3. CHANCE TO WIN ₦1 MILLION - Content Creators Competition
- Separate competition for content creators: Total ₦1.5 Million
- 1st Place: ₦1 Million, 2 Runners-up: ₦250,000 each
- You must create content around GROW Nigerian Conference using hashtag #GROWNigerian
- Register free on creators page below.
4. FREE TRAINING / MASTERCLASSES
- Practical masterclasses on how to grow business, get funding, manage money
- Business Clinic: Guidance on business registration, regulatory requirements, CAC, etc.
- NAFDAC Summit on Nov 9: Meet regulators, discuss NAFDAC registration bottlenecks, see NAPAMS platform demonstration
- Learn working capital, credit, blended finance and grant windows
5. MARKET ACCESS - Nigeria First Fair
- 3-day marketplace - 156 exhibitors
- Buy and sell directly, meet customers, retailers, corporate buyers, investors
- Discover local brands, build commercial relationships
WHO CAN BENEFIT:
- Small business owners, traders, fashion designers, food vendors, tech founders, farmers, manufacturers
- Startups and existing businesses
- Content creators
- Any Nigerian entrepreneur who wants funding, training and customers
HOW TO REGISTER AND BENEFIT - STEP BY STEP:
1. General Conference - FREE:
Go to official SMEDAN conference site: https://conference.smedan.gov.ng/register
Fill your name, phone, email, business name. Submit. Keep your confirmation.
2. For ₦1 Million Session Awards:
On the same site, review available sessions, register for a suitable track. Attend IN PERSON in Lagos. Be active in session. Session leader will choose winner.
3. For Content Creators ₦1.5M:
Register free at: https://conference.smedan.gov.ng/creators
Join the webinar, then create content during conference with #GROWNigerian
4. What to Bring to Lagos:
Your SMEDAN ID if you have one, business cards, samples of your product, your phone for content, and your ID card.
WARNING - BE CAREFUL:
SMEDAN registration is FREE. SMEDAN will NEVER ask you to pay to register, to win ₦1 Million, or to enter pitch competition.
SMEDAN will NEVER ask for your OTP, BVN, ATM PIN or bank password.
Only register on official site: conference.smedan.gov.ng - NOT on any WhatsApp link.
SMEDAN Director-General Charles Odii said the initiative is designed to help entrepreneurs overcome limited funding, weak business management skills and difficulty reaching customers - to turn skills and ideas into viable businesses.
If you are in Lagos, don't miss Nov 8-10. If you are outside Lagos and you can travel, try to attend at least one day. This is FREE training + FREE market + chance to win ₦1 Million.
Will you attend? Tell us in comments - LAGOS or ONLINE? And share this to a business owner who needs funding now. You may change their business this weekend.
This report originally appeared on Imo Media Hub - www.imomediahub.org
