Nigerians Have No Reason To Be Poor – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigerians have no reason to live in poverty, reaffirming his administration’s resolve to boost the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.

Speaking at the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Calabar on Wednesday, the President—represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima—said the nation is richly endowed with human and natural resources.

He noted that Cross River State, in particular, possesses fertile land capable of supporting the cultivation of almost every 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 recalled that upon assuming office, his government prioritised access to capital and pledged to back ventures aimed at reshaping the future of work, skills, and industry.

Commending the state for establishing a cutting-edge communication and technology hub for MSMEs, he said the facility would provide affordable access to high-speed internet, modern equipment, and collaborative spaces for learning and 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 Renewed Hope Agenda is about creating an environment where MSMEs not only survive but thrive. We are building an ecosystem that provides infrastructure and enhances the creativity of entrepreneurs,” he said.

Governor Bassey Otu described the MSME Clinic as a special-purpose initiative between the state and the Federal Government to stimulate entrepreneurship and economic growth.

Through the Micro Finance and Enterprise Development Agency, Otu said, no fewer than 3,500 entrepreneurs had been trained in diverse areas of business. He maintained that MSMEs have boundless potential to raise living standards when fully harnessed.

In his remarks, Mr Pius Neji, Head of the Bank of Industry (BOI) in Cross River, pledged continued support for rural enterprises, revealing that the bank had disbursed about ₦260 million to MSMEs in the state.

“Cross River has what it takes to make Nigeria greater. The industrialisation of Cross River can take Nigeria to the next level,” Neji said.