CALABAR — President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has no business being poor, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to driving the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as a key pillar of national development.
Speaking at the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Calabar on Wednesday, Tinubu — represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima — said Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources should translate to prosperity for its citizens.
Highlighting Cross River State’s vast agricultural potential, Tinubu said the state could grow “almost every crop” thanks to its fertile soil. “The Federal Government intends to plant 100 million oil palm trees — more than any other state. Cross River has an advantage,” he noted.
The president said that since taking office, his administration had prioritized guaranteed access to capital and support for enterprises that will redefine the future of work, skills, and industry.
Commending the Cross River Government for establishing a cutting-edge communication and technology hub for MSMEs, Tinubu said the facility would give entrepreneurs access to high-speed internet, modern equipment, and collaborative spaces for innovation.
“The digital world has space for the market woman in Ikom, the furniture maker in Calabar, and the fashion designer in Ogoja, Ugep, or Odukpani. Our commitment is not just to give loans or grants, but to build an ecosystem that provides infrastructure and boosts creativity,” he said.
Governor Bassey Otu described the MSME Clinic as a strategic partnership between the state and the Federal Government to enhance entrepreneurship and grow the economy. He revealed that the state, through its Micro Finance and Enterprise Development Agency, had trained over 3,500 entrepreneurs in various skills.
“The gains of MSMEs are boundless. They have the capacity to raise our people’s standard of living,” Otu said, pledging the state’s full support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Also speaking, Mr. Pius Neji, Head of the Bank of Industry (BOI) in Cross River, said the bank had disbursed about N260 million to support rural MSMEs in the state.
“Cross River is a good place for entrepreneurs. The industrialisation of the state can take Nigeria to the next level,” Neji stated.
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