The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has launched an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Implementation Guide aimed at helping Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria build more sustainable businesses.
Speaking during the launch, NECA Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, described ESG as an increasingly important factor for long-term business growth, competitiveness, and access to global markets.
He explained that many Nigerian MSMEs still struggle to understand and implement ESG standards effectively, prompting the development of the guide after extensive research on sustainability awareness among local businesses.
According to Oyerinde, the guide is designed to provide MSMEs with practical and accessible tools to understand ESG principles, identify sustainability risks and opportunities, improve business practices, and enhance access to funding and international markets.
He noted that investors, regulators, consumers, and global supply chains are placing growing demands on businesses to adopt responsible and sustainable operational standards.
The NECA boss reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting businesses through training, advisory services, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships aimed at deepening ESG adoption across different sectors of the economy.
He also called on government agencies, financial institutions, development partners, and private-sector stakeholders to work together in creating an enabling environment for MSMEs to embrace sustainability-driven business models.
Oyerinde stressed that supporting MSMEs in adopting ESG principles would contribute significantly to inclusive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable national development in Nigeria.
