ABSTRACT This research work was designed to determine the role of small and medium enterprise in the development of Nigeria economy. Some selected enterprises were used as a case study and questionnaires were administered in order to extract information on this project. The objectives of the study includes to identify the roles of small and medium enterprises in the development of the Nigeria economy and to evaluate the problems the encountered in the establishment of small businesses. Some literature were reviewed in relation to the topic with the themes and sub themes of the study. However, in research methodology, the researcher used some instruments for data collection. These instrument s emanated from both the primary and secondary source of data. The data collected were analyzed, grouped into frequency, computed and arranged in tables for easy references. The statistics tools for analysis are the simple percentage and chi-square technique. These techniques were appropriately applied at 5% level of significance. The result of the study shows that small and medium enterprise plays a vital role in the development of Nigerian economy despite the various problems the encounter in the establishment of small businesses. Some recommendation were also made based on the results of the findings.

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY For the past decades, small business enterprises in Nigeria were characterized as essentially backward and cog in the wheel of the overall development of the Nigeria economy. As a result of this, there has been a prevalent feeling that such businesses could be assisted only for social reasons, not as a promising opportunity for national development. Obviously, too little attention has been paid to the benefits to be derived from helping small enterprises of modernize and grow. This attitude arose partly amongst both the citizens and government and mainly from the very nature of the small business which made it difficult for its impact to be felt in the economy. The latent contributions which small business can make are now attracting recognition. This awareness is manifest in the everincreasing number of Nigerians who daily strive to put up their personal ideas and abilities to effective use [by starting small business] ventures.