Identification and characterization of SMEs in relation to Performance in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This exploratory paper looked at the Identification and characterization of SMEs in relation to Performance in Niger State. Data on socio-economic performance indicators of 370 Small and Medium Scale Enterprises domicile in two Local Government Areas (Bosso and Chanchaga) was extracted from the data base of German Agency for International Development (GIZ) in Nigeria. Descriptive statistics; frequency, mean, min, max and standard deviation was used to analyze the Identification and characterization of SMEs in relation to Performance in the study area. A hypothesis was drawn; Identification and characterization of SMEs in the study area. Evidence from the study show that identification and characterization of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises had influence their performance and productivity. Further analysis reveal that gender, age, educational qualification, value of assets, annual turnover and number of staff have significant influence on the performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the study area. While voluminous body of research exist on the performance of the Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs)in Nigeria, such evidence within the North Central geopolitical zone remains relatively scanty. The paper suggests creation of an enabling environment for sustainable Small and Medium Scale Enterprise development in Nigeria.