Skystone’s strategy has gone beyond issuing loans. It has involved overhauling governance frameworks, improving accounting systems, introducing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) processes, and injecting independent directors into businesses that previously relied solely on family management. “We have deployed our skills in helping about 15 indigenously owned family businesses to scale up,” Olabinjo said. “We now have close to 30 other businesses in our pipeline seeking restructuring and advisory services.” This hands-on approach has distinguished Skystone from traditional lenders. By combining financial support with structural advisory, the company ensures its clients don’t just survive but thrive.

As Skystone Finance expands, with new fund management and issuance licenses secured this year, its focus on micro-SMEs remains a cornerstone of its vision. Looking to the future, Olabinjo sees the sector as critical to Nigeria’s economic transformation. “Our vision is to grow the business, transform, and acquire more licenses,” he said. “But at the heart of it all, we want to ensure that the skills and knowledge we have are deployed to strengthen the SME and micro-SME space. That is where the future of financial inclusion lies.” Seven years on, the company has established itself as one of Nigeria’s top finance houses, yet its mission remains tied to the people at the base of the economy. In unlocking the potential of micro-SMEs, Skystone is not just building businesses, it is reinforcing the foundations of Nigeria’s growth.