Lai: Buhari committed to economic diversification, supporting SMEs

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to diversifying the nation’s economy.

Lai spoke on Saturday in Abuja at the closing ceremony of a five-day exhibition of made-in-Nigeria products and live performance of cultural troupes.

Mohammed said the federal government would continue to develop initiatives to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) thrive, which will encourage economic development.

“The products exhibited here in the past five days are 100% made-in-Nigeria and by our micro, small and medium scale enterprises. They depict the ingenuity and industry of our indigenous entrepreneurs,” he said.

“It is as a result of this ingenuity that the Buhari administration has continued to diversify the economy as well as encourage and boost SME activities in the country as a driver of the economy.”

The minister noted that the event created a platform for individuals to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, project its tourism potentials, and those cultural factors that have united the country despite diversity.

“The event has also featured various paper presentations on key issues that affect Made-in-Nigeria products in the areas of production, branding and financing,” Mohammed added.

“Other areas looked at in the presentations include agriculture, SME development and challenges, infrastructural development for regional integration, Nigeria’s economy beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, women in economic development as well as commerce and industry, amongst others.”

He also commended the inter-ministerial ownership sub-committee for collaborating with the private sector to promote local content in the nation’s production activities.