In a strategic move to deepen its data-driven approach to enterprise development, the National Entrepreneurship Research Institute (NERI) has launched Regional Research Desks (RRDs) across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, starting with operational hubs in Minna (North-Central) and Enugu (South-East). This expansion represents a major step toward decentralizing entrepreneurship intelligence and building localized insights that can shape more inclusive policy decisions.
Historically, national entrepreneurship policies have often lacked the precision and regional sensitivity required to address the nuanced challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across different states. NERI’s new regional desks aim to correct this imbalance by embedding research infrastructure directly into the zones where small businesses operate.
“Our goal is to make entrepreneurship data proximal, participatory, and practical,” said Dr. Chuka Ezeani, Director of Research at NERI. “Each region has unique enterprise dynamics, from urban digital startups in the South-West to agro-based cooperatives in the North-East. The desks help us respond with tailored interventions.”
Each Research Desk is staffed by a team of analysts, field researchers, and engagement officers who work closely with local government agencies, business clusters, cooperatives, and universities. Their responsibilities include:
- Collecting live data on enterprise performance, market linkages, funding gaps, and innovation challenges
- Monitoring local interventions such as loan programs, training schemes, and policy reforms
- Identifying sectoral priorities based on region-specific enterprise activity (e.g., agro-processing, creative economy, or tech-enabled commerce)
- Sharing feedback loops with both state and federal stakeholders to guide more responsive and effective policy measures
Desks are also equipped with digital tools for survey automation, spatial mapping of business activity, and longitudinal tracking of startup survivability across various industries.
The initial rollout of the Regional Research Desks in Minna and Enugu has already yielded valuable insights. In the North-Central zone, researchers found that over 60% of small-scale manufacturers lacked consistent power supply and were unaware of state-sponsored mini-grid initiatives. In the South-East, findings pointed to widespread challenges around market access and logistics for women-owned retail businesses.
NERI plans to complete the setup of desks in the South-West (Ibadan), North-East (Gombe), North-West (Kano), and South-South (Uyo) by Q4 2025, effectively covering all regions with real-time research capacity.
By aggregating and analyzing grassroots-level enterprise data, the RRDs will feed into NERI’s National Enterprise Data Observatory, a centralized platform that enables government ministries, donor agencies, and private investors to make evidence-based decisions on where and how to support entrepreneurship.
“This initiative isn’t just about research,” emphasized Engr. Adebayo Akinwale, NERI’s Director General. “It’s about turning local insights into national impact. We’re building the scaffolding for smarter investment, better policy design, and stronger feedback mechanisms between the government and the entrepreneurs it seeks to serve.”
The Regional Research Desks are also expected to serve as touchpoints for collaboration between state governments and NERI, enabling co-creation of region-specific development strategies and accelerating the localization of the National Entrepreneurship Strategy.
