President Bola Tinubu has stressed that Nigeria has no excuse for poverty, reaffirming his administration’s drive to boost Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the nation.

Speaking at the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Calabar through Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu pointed out that the country is blessed with vast human talent and abundant natural resources. Also, he noted that Cross River’s fertile soil gives it the ability to cultivate nearly any crop, adding that the state stands to benefit greatly from the Federal Government’s plan to plant 100 million oil palm trees, the highest in the country.

Tinubu explained that since taking office, his government has been working to ensure easy access to capital while supporting businesses that can shape the future of jobs, skills, and industries. He praised the Cross River Government for setting up a modern communication and technology hub for MSMEs, describing it as a step in line with global digital trends.

According to him, the hub will provide entrepreneurs with affordable high-speed internet, modern tools, and collaborative spaces to learn, innovate, and reach wider markets. From the market woman in Ikom to the furniture maker in Calabar and the fashion designer in Ogoja, Ugep, or Odukpani, Tinubu said digital access opens endless opportunities.

Finally, he emphasized that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just about giving loans or grants, but about building a complete ecosystem that offers infrastructure and nurtures creativity so that small businesses can flourish.