Sustainability of small and medium enterprises development : the case of the National Directorate of Employment in Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

The article provides beneficiary perceptions on the effectiveness of the National Directorate of Employment policy on selected agro-chemical small and medium enterprises in Akure, Nigeria. This is against the backdrop that small and medium business development play important roles but such roles are even more significant in a developing country’s economic transformation. With poverty and unemployment at unacceptable levels and currently a big challenge to the government of Nigeria, questions must be asked about current initiatives, so that lessons can be harnessed to better position future programmes that generate employment through activities of Small and Medium Enterprises. Thus, this article focuses on the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) programme, with its main objective aimed at catering for unemployed youth across the country. Within the NDE programme, the researchers selected the agro–chemical sector in Akure, Ondo State, with a view of understanding beneficiaries’ insights on SME development and its sustainability in the NDE. The study comprised of mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative approach) using both primary and secondary data. Empirical data was presented, analysed and recommendations drawn for future programmes.