President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigerians have no justifiable reason to live in poverty, stressing that the nation is richly blessed with both natural and human resources.
The President’s remarks were delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday at the opening of the 8th Expanded National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinic held in Calabar, Cross River State.
While addressing stakeholders, small business owners, and government officials, Shettima relayed the President’s firm belief in Nigeria’s potential for prosperity.
“Nigeria has no business being poor,” the President said. “We are a nation blessed with abundant resources, fertile land, and, above all, hardworking, innovative people. Our problem has never been a lack of resources, but how we harness them.”
President Tinubu used the opportunity to highlight the efforts of his administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which he described as focused not merely on distributing funds, but on building a lasting structure that supports entrepreneurs and job creation.
“Our commitment is not just to give loans or grants,” he said, “but to build an ecosystem that provides infrastructure and enhances the creativity of entrepreneurs.”
Referring to Cross River State’s natural potential, particularly in agriculture, Tinubu pointed to upcoming federal initiatives intended to boost local production.
“Cross River is set to be a major player in our plan to plant 100 million oil palm trees across the country,” he noted. “The land here is fertile. The opportunity is ripe. This is how we build prosperity from the ground up.”
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He also acknowledged the state’s strides in digital innovation, praising its newly established Technology and Innovation Hub, which is aimed at boosting MSMEs through access to internet services, training, and collaborative spaces.
“Whether you are a marketwoman in Ikom, a furniture maker in Calabar, or a fashion designer in Ogoja, we are creating opportunities for you to grow your businesses, learn new skills, and thrive in the digital economy.”
Vice President Shettima, delivering the speech on Tinubu’s behalf, added that the federal government would continue to strengthen support systems for entrepreneurs, describing MSMEs as the “bedrock of any thriving economy.”
“We are not just investing in businesses; we are investing in dreams. We are saying to every Nigerian entrepreneur — you are not alone,” he said.
The President’s comments echo a consistent theme in his administration. At an earlier meeting with APC governors in Abuja, Tinubu said:
“We have no reason to be poor. Looking back on where we are coming from… we are not a cursed country, but blessed. We are not lazy people. We have what it takes.”
“Our people are our greatest strength,” Tinubu said in his closing remarks. “We will work together to build a country where every citizen has a fair chance to succeed. It is possible. It is within our reach.”
The President’s optimistic tone comes at a time of continued economic hardship. Since the removal of fuel subsidies and exchange rate reforms, many Nigerians have faced steep rises in living costs, with inflation hitting record highs.
Despite this, Tinubu remains confident that long-term reforms will lead to a more stable and inclusive economy. The administration insists that its economic measures, including support for agriculture, local manufacturing, and digital innovation, will begin yielding visible results.