The SMEDAN traditional institutions partnership could help improve food security, create wealth and support rural development, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria has said.
SMEDAN urged traditional institutions and government intervention agencies to work together when designing development programmes for communities.
The agency’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Odii, made the call at the 2026 Ulefunta Annual Lecture in Akure, Ondo State, on Wednesday.
A copy of his keynote address was made available to our correspondent on Thursday.
The lecture was titled, ‘Food Security, Wealth Creation and National Development: Building Strategic Partnerships Between Traditional Institutions and Intervention Agencies.’
Odii said traditional rulers and community leaders understood the needs of their communities.
He said they also knew local customs, land use, economic opportunities and community challenges.
According to him, government agencies should use this knowledge when planning development programmes.
“We cannot sit in Abuja and make policies for people at the rural and community level,” he said.
“For these policies to work, we must first involve community owners, community leaders and stakeholders in the design.”
Odii also identified community participation, transparency, inclusion and sustainability as key factors in successful government intervention programmes.
The SMEDAN boss disclosed that the agency had launched its Community Enterprise Development Programme.
He said the programme would give traditional rulers and community leaders a bigger role in enterprise development.
The initiative will involve traditional institutions from the start of development projects.
It will also keep them involved until the completion of the projects.
Odii said traditional institutions could help agencies reach farmers, artisans, women and young people.
They could also identify local business opportunities and promote community ownership of development projects.
Odii also called for a broader approach to agriculture.
He said Nigeria must move beyond subsistence farming and develop the full agricultural value chain.
He identified processing, packaging, logistics, technology and marketing as important areas for investment.
According to him, stronger value chains could help farmers create more value from their produce.
The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, said the programme would help bridge the gap between traditional institutions and government agencies.
The monarch said the initiative would expose rural residents, farmers and young entrepreneurs to funding and other development opportunities.
He said traditional institutions could serve as a link between intervention agencies and people at the grassroots.
According to him, farmers’ associations, community leaders and traditional chiefs had received information to share with their communities.
The monarch also described the Ulefunta Festival as an annual socio-cultural reunion.
He said the festival features tourism and cultural activities and does not involve fetish practices.
Earlier, the Chairman of the 2026 Ulefunta Festival Committee, Olu Adekunle Ajanaku, said the colloquium aimed to inform rural residents, farmers and young entrepreneurs about government funding opportunities.
Ajanaku said the festival continued to attract global attention.
He attributed this to its promotion of the culture, social life and aspirations of the people.
He also expressed hope that renewed unity among the three Akure-speaking local government areas would support the creation of the Akure People’s Central Council and Akure Traditional Council.
