IEAMA set for ‘Finance Meets Entrepreneurs 2026’ summit, targets legislative charter, MSME growth
Director General of the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Management and Administration (IEAMA), Dr. Ibeh Jerry, has announced that the institute is fully prepared for its upcoming flagship event, the Finance Meets Entrepreneurs (FME) 2026 summit, holding on 15th October, 2026 at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) building in Ikeja, Lagos.
Addressing journalists at a press conference held at Owee Hotel, FESTAC Town, Lagos, at the weekend, the executive leadership of the institute emphasised the urgent need to bridge the structural gap between financial institutions and emerging business owners across Nigeria.
Opening the briefings, Dr. Ibeh Jerry detailed the scope of the 2026 conference, noting that this second edition incorporates new dimensions aimed at standardising entrepreneurship across Africa and securing chartered status for the body.
“Finance Meets Entrepreneurs had its first edition last year in October, and this second edition comes with a different dimension. We have introduced the Finance Meets Entrepreneurs Award because we believe entrepreneurs who hold the economic ecosystem of Nigeria deserve to be appreciated,” Ibeh stated.
He explained that the event will be split into two main segments: “In the morning, there will be an exhibition, conference talks, and panel discussions on finance and enterprise. In the evening, we will hold our induction ceremony for new members alongside the award presentation. Crucially, this edition will feature the maiden investiture of our pioneer President, who serves as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute.”
Highlighting the long-term strategic goals of IEAMA, Ibeh disclosed plans to pursue statutory recognition. “We have a clear mandate to get this body chartered in the next four years. By next year, we will commence formal engagement with the National Assembly to initiate the chartered status process. The enterprise industry in Nigeria has been significantly undervalued, with many assuming entrepreneurs lack structure. Financial institutions lose substantial funds to what I call ’24-hour business owners’ who borrow without concrete execution plans. To solve this, IEAMA acts as an intermediary—we vet, train, and write backing letters to partner financial institutions to monitor loan utilisation.”
Looking beyond domestic borders, Ibeh outlined the institute’s international expansion and monthly educational programs: “While we are starting in Nigeria, this summit will transition into a pan-African conference within the next two to three years. We are expanding our footprint; IEAMA has established international footprints in Ghana, the UK, and the US, and we recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a UK partner ahead of our official visit in November. Starting in January, we will launch mandatory monthly hybrid training sessions led by international experts.”
Reiterating the institute’s core mission, Ibeh countered misconceptions regarding membership awards: “Professional membership remains an earned product of the institute, governed by strict codes of conduct, not a casual accolade. We are building a structured ecosystem where manufacturers seamlessly meet ready-made distributors. To maintain integrity and prevent fraudulent practices, we have instituted state-level and category chairmen to vet every member before loan recommendations are issued. Standardising entrepreneurship and building organisational integrity is essential if Nigeria is to build a sustainable economy for future generations.”
Speaking next, the Vice President (National) of IEAMA, Dr. Adeniyi Samson Adekunle, stressed that sustainable business growth relies on strategic partnerships between capital providers and enterprise owners, alongside active policy engagement.
“Finance Meets Entrepreneurs is created to bring two critical partners together—finance and enterprise—to shape the future of Nigeria’s economy,” Adekunle said. “Over time, Nigeria has suffered from leadership gaps, but leaders cannot do it alone. The fundamental question for every entrepreneur is: How do they start, and how do they build capital strength? Business sustainability is impossible without structured finance.”
Adekunle highlighted that the primary hurdle for Nigerian business owners is not creativity, but access to resources: “Nigerians are naturally innovative and enterprising. The core challenge is open access to the right financing, financial literacy, digital tools, and business support needed to transform ideas into viable operations. We must move beyond simply demanding collateral or setting complicated requirements. Financial institutions must understand small business realities, while entrepreneurs must become investment-ready.”
He further said, the importance of financial discipline, Fintech adoption, and policy advocacy: “Finance is a partnership, not a handout. Entrepreneurs must build credible enterprises, maintain proper record-keeping, and master their numbers. Many business failures stem from borrowing without clear operational plans. Through IEAMA, we provide rigorous financial literacy, responsible borrowing guidance, and digital payment education. Furthermore, we are actively engaging the central government to influence policies that directly impact MSMEs. Leadership is about vision and influence; when entrepreneurs are empowered with right funding, businesses grow, employment rises, and the entire national economy strengthens.”
Dr. Damilola: Broadening Access and Financial Inclusion
Adding to the event overview, Vice Chairman, Finance Meets Enterprunurs summit, at the institute, Dr. Eladiya Damilola, outlined the technical objectives and target audience for the October summit, emphasising broad-based participation across sectors.
“We have structured this program for the general public and stakeholders across all sectors of Nigeria’s economy relating to entrepreneurship and apprenticeship,” Eladiya stated. “Our objective at this 2026 conference is to directly connect entrepreneurs with financial institutions, foster investment knowledge, and build sustainable market partnerships.”
He also noted that the summit will specifically target underserved demographics and foster governance compliance: “This conference will significantly improve MSME access to finance, strengthen financial literacy, formalisation, governance, and compliance. We are placing a strong emphasis on promoting youth enterprise and women entrepreneurship within the Nigerian space to boost overall financial inclusion and investor confidence.”
Eladiya concluded by highlighting the multi-sectoral reach expected at the LCCI venue: “The FME summit will promote export readiness, structured enterprise development, and apprenticeship financing. We expect a broad gathering of participants, including representatives from financial institutions, government agencies, development partners, exhibitors, and prospective members. By establishing a professional network, IEAMA aims to professionalise the practice of entrepreneurship across the nation.”
