SMEs Tinubu, Elumelu discuss tax reforms, power, SMEs

President Bola Tinubu on Friday met with the Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group Plc, Tony Elumelu, to advance plans for economic growth and tax reforms aimed at strengthening small businesses.

Elumelu spoke with State House Correspondents after the closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the discussions focused on how to strengthen small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), describing them as the engine of economic growth.

Elumelu said the President was passionate about “capacitising” SME operators and supporting young entrepreneurs across the country.

“Today we talked about small and medium-scale enterprises and how to further support Nigerian medium and small-scale enterprises. (SMEs)

”Mr. President is very passionate for my discussion about capacitizing the small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in Nigeria, and I’m very happy to hear that, to feel that, to explain that, because they are the engine of economic growth,” the billionaire stated.

He said Tinubu explained that ongoing tax reforms would be used to boost SMEs and widen opportunities for enterprise growth.

Elumelu said the President also discussed the Bank of Industry (BOI) and expressed satisfaction with its current leadership and performance.

He said the alignment between government priorities and private sector support for entrepreneurs was encouraging for Nigerian youths.

Elumelu, a member of the President’s Economic Council, said he also briefed Tinubu on his assessment of current economic trends.

He said the monetary policy direction of the Central Bank of Nigeria was “quite encouraging,” noting improved stability and predictability.