The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Cross River State Government, has held the 8th edition of the Expanded National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Clinic in Calabar, reaffirming its commitment to creating an enabling environment for small businesses across the country.
At the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, commissioned a newly established ICT Hub for entrepreneurs at the State Library Complex. The facility is expected to provide small businesses with access to modern technology, digital tools, and shared resources that can help them scale their operations.
The Vice President also announced ₦250,000 in unconditional grants for selected outstanding businesses that participated in the exhibition, a move designed to reward innovation and strengthen enterprise sustainability.
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu highlighted the state’s ongoing support for entrepreneurship, disclosing that over 3,500 business owners have so far been trained through the state’s Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency. He reaffirmed that the state would continue to prioritize small businesses as a driver of economic inclusion and job creation.
The Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Charles Odii, joined other dignitaries, including the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, at the gathering. Stakeholders underscored the importance of the MSME Clinics as a platform that links entrepreneurs with government agencies, expands access to funding, and encourages business innovation.
The clinics, which have been held across different states, are part of a broader strategy to accelerate small business growth and strengthen Nigeria’s economic foundation. By combining training, access to resources, and policy support, the initiative seeks to nurture a new wave of entrepreneurs capable of driving inclusive development across the country.
