Who Is Dr Dikko Umaru Radda?

Dr Dikko Umaru Radda is a renowned Nigerian businessman and administrator. He was born on the 9th of February, 1969, in Radda, Danja Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria. He is the current Director-General/CEO of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). Dr Radda is widely regarded as a visionary and innovative leader, who has made significant contributions to the development of the Nigerian economy.

Early life and education

Dr Dikko Umaru Radda had his early education in Radda before proceeding to Government College, Birnin Kebbi for his secondary education. He then proceeded to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the same institution. Dr Radda later earned a Doctorate degree in Business Administration from the University of Gloucestershire, United Kingdom.

Career

Dr Dikko Umaru Radda began his career as a lecturer at the Kaduna Polytechnic, where he taught Business Administration. He later joined the services of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), where he served in various capacities. He was the General Manager, Corporate Services; Head, Credit Risk Management; and Head, Public Sector Group of the bank. Dr Radda was also the pioneer Managing Director/CEO of the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), which was set up to promote SME development in the Federal Capital Territory.

Dr Radda's appointment as the Director-General/CEO of SMEDAN came as no surprise to many, as he had already demonstrated his capacity and capability in promoting SME development through his outstanding performance at AEA. As the head of SMEDAN, Dr Radda has continued to drive the agency's mandate of promoting the development of micro, small and medium enterprises in Nigeria. He has introduced various initiatives and policies aimed at easing the challenges faced by SMEs in the country, such as the One Local Government One Product (OLOP) programme, the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) and the SMEDAN-BOA Matching Fund.

Achievements

Under Dr Dikko Umaru Radda's leadership, SMEDAN has recorded significant achievements in promoting SME development in Nigeria. The agency has successfully implemented various programmes and initiatives aimed at empowering SMEs to create jobs and contribute to the growth of the economy. Some of the notable achievements of SMEDAN under Dr Radda's leadership include:

1. One Local Government One Product (OLOP) programme

The OLOP programme is an initiative aimed at promoting the development of unique products in each local government area of Nigeria. The programme is designed to harness the potentials of each local government area and encourage the production of high-quality products with global appeal. Under Dr Radda's leadership, SMEDAN has successfully implemented the OLOP programme in several local government areas across the country, resulting in the creation of new jobs and the development of new products.

2. Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS)

The CGS is a programme aimed at providing grant support to SMEs in Nigeria. The programme is designed to assist SMEs to access finance and develop their businesses. Under Dr Radda's leadership, SMEDAN has disbursed over N4 billion in grants to SMEs across the country, resulting in the creation of new jobs and the expansion of existing businesses.

3. SMEDAN-BOA Matching Fund

The SMEDAN-BOA Matching Fund is a financing scheme aimed at providing affordable loans to SMEs in Nigeria. Under the scheme, SMEDAN and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) jointly provide matching funds to SMEs, with SMEDAN providing 30% of the total loan amount and BOA providing 70%. The scheme is designed to encourage SMEs to access affordable finance and develop their businesses. Under Dr Radda's leadership, SMEDAN has disbursed over N2 billion in loans to SMEs under the SMEDAN-BOA Matching Fund scheme.

4. Partnership with Development Partners

Under Dr Radda's leadership, SMEDAN has formed strategic partnerships with local and international development partners to promote SME development in Nigeria. The agency has partnered with organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to promote SME development in the country. These partnerships have resulted in the implementation of various programmes and initiatives aimed at empowering SMEs to create jobs and contribute to the growth of the economy.

Conclusion

Dr Dikko Umaru Radda is a remarkable leader who has made significant contributions to the development of the Nigerian economy. His vision and innovative ideas have enabled him to achieve remarkable success in promoting SME development in Nigeria. His achievements as the Director-General/CEO of SMEDAN are a testament to his leadership skills and his commitment to the development of the country. Dr Radda's contributions to the development of SMEs in Nigeria will continue to be felt for many years to come, as his legacy will serve as a source of inspiration for future generations.