President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigerians have no reason to live in poverty, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and boosting agricultural productivity.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Calabar on Wednesday, Tinubu said Nigeria’s wealth of human and natural resources should translate into widespread prosperity. He singled out Cross River State’s fertile land as a key agricultural asset, noting its capacity to grow almost any crop.
The president announced plans to plant 100 million oil palm trees nationwide, with Cross River identified as a major beneficiary. The project, he said, would position Nigeria as a global leader in oil palm production and support the government’s broader strategy to drive economic growth through agriculture.
“Our commitment is not just to give loans or grants, but to build an ecosystem that provides infrastructure and enhances the creativity of entrepreneurs,” Tinubu stated, highlighting his Renewed Hope Agenda’s focus on enabling MSMEs to thrive.
He praised the Cross River Government for launching a state-of-the-art communication and technology hub for entrepreneurs, providing affordable high-speed internet, modern equipment, and collaborative spaces. According to him, such initiatives will help businesses from market women to furniture makers and fashion designers tap into the vast opportunities of the digital economy.
Governor Bassey Otu described the MSME Clinic as a collaborative effort between the state and federal government to stimulate entrepreneurship and economic growth. He said over 3,500 entrepreneurs have already been trained through the state’s Micro Finance and Enterprise Development Agency.
Also speaking, the Bank of Industry’s Cross River Head, Pius Neji, revealed that the bank has disbursed over ₦260 million to MSMEs in the state, supporting rural and urban businesses alike. He described Cross River as a prime hub for entrepreneurship capable of driving Nigeria’s industrialisation.
The event reinforced the need for strong partnerships among federal and state governments, financial institutions, and private sector players to create an enabling business environment for sustainable economic development.
