The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has unveiled what it describes as Africa’s first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Implementation Guide for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), aimed at helping businesses improve sustainability, boost competitiveness, and meet evolving global investment standards.
The guide was launched on Tuesday during the 2026 Nigeria Employers’ Summit in Abuja by the Chairman of the NECA ESG Advisory Board, Femi Jaiyeola.
Speaking at the event, Jaiyeola described the launch as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s private sector, stressing that MSMEs remain the backbone of the economy and need practical tools to remain competitive in an increasingly sustainability-focused business environment.
He noted that ESG has evolved beyond regulatory compliance to become a key driver of business growth and long-term survival.
“MSMEs play a critical role in Nigeria’s economy, and ESG is no longer just about meeting regulatory requirements. It presents enormous opportunities for businesses and the country as a whole,” he said.
Jaiyeola explained that the guide comes at a time when regulators, financial institutions, and investors are placing greater emphasis on sustainability practices across businesses of all sizes.
He also warned that ESG reporting is expected to become mandatory in Nigeria by 2030, urging small businesses to begin preparing now.
“The message is clear. By 2030, ESG reporting is expected to become mandatory in Nigeria. The time to prepare is now,” he said.
According to him, the implementation guide provides a practical, step-by-step framework to help MSMEs integrate ESG principles into their operations while creating measurable business value.
He added that adopting ESG standards would not only ensure regulatory compliance but also improve access to finance, strengthen investor confidence, enhance competitiveness, and build long-term resilience.
“Beyond compliance, ESG creates opportunities for MSMEs to access funding, improve their reputation, strengthen competitiveness, and generate sustainable value,” Jaiyeola said.
He described the publication as more than a policy document, saying it is a practical tool designed to help Nigerian small businesses thrive in a sustainability-driven global economy.
Providing background to the initiative, Jaiyeola recalled that NECA, with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), conducted a national ESG assessment launched in December 2025. The findings, he said, highlighted the need to integrate MSMEs more effectively into Nigeria’s sustainability agenda due to their significant contribution to employment and economic growth.
He also disclosed that six NECA officials are currently receiving specialised ESG training at the ILO International Training Centre in Turin, Italy, after which they will train MSMEs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, NECA Director-General Adewale Smart Oyerinde said economic reforms must be inclusive and supported by the organised private sector to achieve meaningful results.
According to him, the summit was convened to assess the impact of ongoing reforms and strengthen collaboration between government and the business community, stressing that sustainable economic transformation cannot be achieved without active private sector participation.
