“Nigerians Have No Reason to Be Poor”- Tinubu

• Speaking at the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Calabar on Wednesday, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said Nigeria is blessed with vast human and natural resources, adding that Cross River’s rich soil can support the cultivation of nearly any crop.

President Bola Tinubu says Nigerians have no reason to be poor, reaffirming his commitment to boosting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Speaking at the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Calabar on Wednesday, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said Nigeria is blessed with vast human and natural resources, adding that Cross River’s rich soil can support the cultivation of nearly any crop.

“The Federal Government intends to plant 100 million oil palm trees, more than any other state. Cross River has an advantage,” he said.

Tinubu said his administration is committed to providing capital and supporting initiatives that shape the future of work, skills, and industry, commending Cross River for setting up a modern tech hub for MSMEs in line with global digital trends.

“The hub will give MSMEs affordable access to high-speed internet, modern equipment, and a collaborative space to learn and innovate, remembering that the digital world is a window to diverse markets.

“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.

“This is why my administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is a commitment to creating an environment where MSMEs not only survive but thrive.

“Our commitment is not just to give loans or grants, but to build an ecosystem that provides infrastructure and enhances the creativity of entrepreneurs,” he said.

Gov. Bassey Otu described the 8th MSME Clinic as a joint effort between Cross River and the Federal Government to boost entrepreneurship and grow the state’s economy.

Through its Micro Finance and Enterprise Development Agency, the state has trained over 3,500 entrepreneurs. Otu praised the president’s foresight and pledged support for the Renewed Hope Agenda.

BOI Cross River head, Pius Neji, said the bank has disbursed about ₦260 million to rural MSMEs in the state.

“Cross River is a good place for our entrepreneurs, and the state has what it takes to make Nigeria greater. The industrialisation of Cross River can take Nigeria to the next level,” he said.