Engineers Urge Support For Tech SMEs To Drive Industrial Growth

Enugu – The Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE) has called on governments and policymakers to strengthen technology-driven Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through industrial parks, cluster hubs, and targeted support policies.

Mr. Bayo Olarewaju-Alo, NSChE National President, made the appeal on Thursday while briefing journalists at the society’s 55th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Enugu. The conference, themed “The Role and Contribution of SMEs to National Industrial Development and Growth,” brought together experts to discuss strategies for enhancing SME competitiveness.

SMEs: The Engine Room of Growth

Olarewaju-Alo emphasised that SMEs remain the backbone of Nigeria’s industrial development, providing over 80 per cent of employment and contributing nearly half of the nation’s GDP. “They are critical in value addition, innovation, and technology diffusion, yet often lack the enabling environment to scale operations,” he said.

He noted that SMEs face formidable challenges, including high energy costs, poor infrastructure, low technology adoption, import dependence on machinery, and weak research-industry linkages.

Policy and Technological Support Needed

The NSChE president urged the government to implement policies that promote gas utilisation projects, renewable energy systems, and procurement practices that favour local manufacturers and service providers. He also highlighted the importance of research-industry partnerships to support local fabrication of processing equipment and spare parts.

“This conference is a call to action to strengthen SME participation across Nigeria’s industrial value chain — from agro-processing to energy, petrochemicals, renewable technologies, and advanced manufacturing,” Olarewaju-Alo said.

Youth Mentorship and Industrial Transformation

He further stressed the society’s commitment to mentoring young engineers who will establish processing plants, recycling facilities, and energy start-ups, turning innovative ideas into scalable impact.

“Chemical engineers, collaborating with other professionals, can provide the technological backbone for sustainable manufacturing, contributing to a production-driven economy, job creation, reduced imports, and inclusive growth,” he added.

The conference is expected to generate actionable recommendations to address structural and technological obstacles facing SMEs, reinforcing their role as the true drivers of Nigeria’s industrial renaissance.