Calabar, Nigeria — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to grow Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), declaring that the country’s vast human and natural resources leave “no reason for Nigerians to be poor.”
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Calabar on Wednesday, Tinubu highlighted Cross River’s unique economic potential.
“Cross River has fertile land capable of producing almost every crop. Our plan to plant 100 million oil palm trees gives this state a clear advantage,” he said.
The president noted that his government’s Renewed Hope Agenda goes beyond financial handouts. It aims to create a supportive ecosystem where entrepreneurs can thrive — with infrastructure, skills, and access to technology at the core.
Boosting digital opportunities for small businesses
Commending the state’s new communication and technology hub for MSMEs, Tinubu said it will connect local businesses to the global market.
“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,” he added.
State commitment to entrepreneurship
Governor Bassey Otu described the MSME Clinic as a joint effort with the federal government to ignite entrepreneurial growth. He revealed that over 3,500 entrepreneurs have been trained in various business skills through the state’s Micro Finance and Enterprise Development Agency.
“The potential of MSMEs to improve livelihoods is boundless,” Otu said, pledging the state’s full support for the president’s economic agenda.
Financing the grassroots economy
Mr. Pius Neji, Head of the Bank of Industry (BOI) in Cross River, said the bank has already disbursed about ₦260 million to rural MSMEs in the state.
“Cross River is a good place for entrepreneurs, and its industrial growth can help take Nigeria to the next level,” Neji stated.
The Calabar MSME Clinic is part of a nationwide series designed to connect small business owners with financing, training, and policy support, reinforcing the government’s vision of a self-reliant and innovative economy.
