Abstract:
Small-scale businesses have been playing an important role in the process of industrial and economic
development of most nations. In Nigeria, there has been a decisive switch in the industrialization
policy from import substitution to small-scale business development. To promote the development of
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the Federal and State Governments in Nigeria have set up
programs to provide various services to small-scale businesses. Recent reports indicate that the
programs have not satisfactorily performed their roles.
This study is therefore, designed to highlight the roles and constraints of the programs implemented
by the Federal and State Governments. The descriptive method of analysis is used and secondary data
was used in this study. The study reveals that the programs were assigned with roles which could have
assisted immensely the small-scale business development in Nigeria, however, factors such as lack of
infrastructure, inadequate resources, undue political interference, an ‘un readiness’ or lack of
preparedness of small and medium scale businesses to partake, and their lack of awareness on how to
benefit from the programs have hindered the programs from performing their expected roles.
The programs were assigned roles which could have assisted immensely towards virile development
of SMEs in Nigeria. However, adequate financial, physical and human resources should be provided
for the existing programs to fulfill their roles
