Caption: From left, Olufunso Olodo, Head, Legal Unit, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF); Tobiloba Makinde, 3rd Party Partnership Manager, Ecobank Nigeria; Oyeronke Ibidapo-Obe, Head, Agency Banking & 3rd Party Partnership, Ecobank Nigeria; Omoboye Odu, Head, SME, Ecobank Nigeria; Feyisayo Alayande, Executive Secretary, LSETF; Oyindamola Egbeyemi, Director, Programmes and Coordination, LSETF; Adewumi Oni, Director, Finance and Corporate Services, LSETF; Yusuf Akanbi, Head, Internal Audit, LSETF; Peter Ayobami Okanola, Head, Special Projects, LSETF; and Michael Adebanjo, Funding and Partnerships Officer, LSETF at the signing of MoU between Ecobank Nigeria and LSETF to empower MSMEs across Lagos state.
Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading pan-African banking group, on Wednesday announced a strategic partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) to undertake capacity building, market access, and enterprise development initiatives for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the state.
The deal, according to a statement, is designed to strengthen small businesses, promote entrepreneurship, and boost job creation as part of broader efforts to reduce unemployment and drive inclusive economic growth in the state.
Under this partnership, Ecobank will provide MSMEs with access to business advisory support, digital tools, networking platforms, and new market opportunities, including cross-border trade linkages via the Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub. The engagement will also leverage SME events, targeted training programmes, and knowledge-sharing sessions to help Lagos-based entrepreneurs build structure, improve governance, and scale sustainably.
Omoboye Odu, Head of SME Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, described the initiative as a shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
She expressed delight at the collaboration “with LSETF on this impactful journey. MSMEs are the engine of our economy, but many require structure, skills, and market access to truly thrive. Our focus is to equip entrepreneurs with the right knowledge, networks, platforms, and digital solutions that help them grow sustainably.
“Through initiatives such as the Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub, our SME networking events, and capacity-building programmes, we will connect Lagos businesses to broader opportunities at home and across Africa,” she added.
Also speaking, Oyeronke Ibidapo-Obe, Head of Agency Banking and Third-Party Partnerships at Ecobank, highlighted the long-term value of the collaboration: “This partnership creates a solid framework for enterprise development in Lagos. By combining capacity building, mentoring, digital enablement, and market access, we are laying the foundation for scalable businesses that can compete locally and internationally. Our goal is clear — to help MSMEs grow, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economic prosperity.”
On her part, Mrs. Feyisayo Alayande, Executive Secretary/CEO of LSETF, expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting that the partnership will support the Fund’s mission to enable Lagos residents to become economically active and self-sufficient.
“This partnership is another step forward in our commitment to enabling small businesses in Lagos to reach their full potential. We are excited about what this partnership means for our beneficiaries and for Lagos as a whole, as we build stronger businesses, create more jobs, and continue to champion an inclusive economy that works for everyone.”
