ABSTRACT

This study is basically concerned with the analysis of the prospects of small and medium scale enterprises under the microfinance regime of the present government.  The attempts made by various personalities and institutions towards explaining the concept was given proper attention.  Moving ahead, the researcher in his efforts aimed at carrying out a paper research made use of various methods/instruments of data sourcing and analysis, that comprised of primary and secondary sources of data which included face to face discussions, oral interviews, questionnaires and the use of relevant textbooks, magazines, journals, libraries, internet, e.t.c.  The research was conducted with a known total population of two thousand eight hundred persons and a determined sample size of three hundred and fifty relevant persons.  Equally, some research questions were put forward to direct investigation in conducting the research, while tables together with percentages were employed to provide comprehensive data analysis and presentation.  The findings from the study revealed among other things, that the activities of MFIs has a tremendous role to play in revamping SMEs in the country.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page         –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       i

Certification     –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       ii

Dedication       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       iii

Acknowledgement    –       –       –       –       –       –       –       iv

Abstract   –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       v

Table of Contents     –       –       –       –       –       –       –       vi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background of the Study –       –       –       –       –       1

1.2   Statement of Problem      –       –       –       –       –       5

1.3   Objectives of the Study    –       –       –       –       –       7

1.4   Research Questions –       –       –       –       –       –       7

1.5   Significance of the Study –       –       –       –       –       8

1.6   Scope of the Study   –       –       –       –       –       –       11

1.7   Limitation of the Study    –       –       –       –       –       11

1.8   Definition of Terms –        –       –       –       –       –       –       12

References       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       14

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE

2.1   The definition of small scale enterprise – –       –       15

2.2   Challenges/constraints of funding SME operations

in Nigeria         –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       22

2.3   Potentials of small and medium enterprises (SMEs)        22

2.4   Microfinance: Concept and need     –       –       –       25

2.5   Characteristics of microfinance institutions in Nigeria 27

2.6   Microfinance Policy in Nigeria –       –       –       –       28

2.7   Microfinance Suppliers (Sources of Fund)       –       –       32

2.8   Potentials of Microfinance in Nigeria               –       –       40

2.9   Challenges of Microfinance in Nigeria      –       –       41

2.10 The use of microfinance institutions to finance SMEs 45

References       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       51

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1   Introduction –  –       –       –       –       –       –       –       53

3.2   Sources of data        –       –       –       –       –       –       54

3.3   Sample size determination       –       –       –       –       55

3.4   Methods/Instruments of Data Collection         –       –       56

3.5   Tools/Techniques for Data Analysis        –       –       –       57

3.6   Validity and reliability      –       –       –       –       –       57

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1   Questionnaire: Respondents analysis      –       –       58

4.2   Survival Strategies for Nigerian SMEs      –       –       73

CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1   Summary of findings       –       –       –       –       –       77

5.2   Conclusion      –       –       –       –       –       –       –       78

5.3   Recommendations   –       –       –       –       –       –       81

5.4   Areas for Further Study   –       –       –       –       –       83

Appendix        

        Bibliography

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Nigeria economy appears to have been reaping the advantages obtainable from Small Scale Enterprises. These include stimulation of indigenous entrepreneurship, transformation of traditional industry, e.tc. The experiences in many parts of the world point to the direction that Small Scale Enterprises can make positive impact on the economies of many nations both developed and developing.