Lack of support for business shows worrisome, says group

Hype Communications, a group of young entrepreneurs, says the lack of support for entrepreneurship and business shows in the country is worrisome.

In a statement on Tuesday, Catherine Agbo, the group’s director of media, said the low attention given to business reality TV shows has a negative implication on the country’s economy.

She said available statistics by Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that Nigeria has over 37 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who employ over 54 million skilled and unskilled labour and contribute about 54 per cent of the country’s GDP.

She said unlike other countries where entrepreneurship and business reality TV shows enjoy popularity among the youth, Nigerian youths often show indifference due to lack of support.

“It is for this reason that even when globally successful educative entrepreneurial shows such as Dragons Den and The Apprentice were brought to Nigeria, they failed to attract the same level of attention,” she said.

“Entrepreneurs are by nature, job creators, and for every entrepreneur that is supported to grow, there is one person less in the job market who goes on to provide jobs for others. Entrepreneurship plays a critical role in the economic growth and standard of living in the country and should be encouraged.”

The group said shows such as “The Next Titan reality TV show”, which is currently in its 6th season, should be supported to further boost entrepreneurial spirit among the youths and solve the challenge of unemployment in the country.

It called on corporate organisations, government and non-governmental agencies to support entrepreneurs and programmes that support entrepreneurship and business shows.