Financing Small Scale Businesses in Lagos Metropolis of Nigeria : Issues, Challenges, Government, and Private sector strategic support

Small scale businesses have been known to be agents of economic growth and development in different economies. It is not surprising that governments give them a priority place in their national plans. Nigeria is full of these businesses, accounting for over 80% of all businesses. How have these businesses fared in contributing to economic growth and national development in Nigeria? This study takes on the issue of financing these businesses in a way they can effectively function as agents of national development. It critically discusses the financing issues and challenges of the small scale businesses in Lagos metropolis of Nigeria. How can these businesses be adequately funded in Nigeria? What are the sources of such finance? The study is a useful guide to new entrepreneurs, those in Diaspora, government agencies and organized private sector alike, that are interested in setting up small scale businesses in Nigeria. It is also useful to the government as it brings out the gaps between the small scale businesses and government agencies responsible for supporting SSBs in financial policy making and implementation, to enable them function as real agents of economic growth.