April 10, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has unveiled a new national platform designed to strengthen support for Nigerian businesses, deepen engagement between government and entrepreneurs, and improve the responsiveness of economic policies to real-sector realities.
The initiative, known as the Renewed Hope Enterprise Bridge Initiative, was formally launched on Thursday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, alongside its official website, as part of efforts by the administration to promote inclusive economic growth and expand opportunities for enterprise development across the country.
At the event, President Tinubu was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who underscored the administration’s commitment to closing the long-standing gap between policymakers and entrepreneurs, describing it as essential for sustainable economic planning and implementation.
According to the President, the initiative is a deliberate response to what he described as a “quiet disconnect” between those who design economic policies and those who operate businesses under real-world pressures. He noted that effective governance requires constant interaction between both sides to ensure that policies are not only well-designed but also practical and impactful.
“One side works with frameworks and projections; the other works with immediacy and risk. Bringing both into the same room is not symbolic; it is necessary. If a policy is to be useful, it must be informed by lived experience. And if an enterprise is to thrive, it must be supported by a system that understands it”, Tinubu stated.
He further stressed that no government can effectively solve economic challenges without listening directly to those affected by its decisions, adding that business operators across the country continue to demonstrate resilience despite difficult operating conditions.
“Therefore, we must listen carefully, interrogate honestly and respond deliberately. You can only treat what you have properly diagnosed”, he said, noting that entrepreneurs remain central to job creation, innovation, and national productivity.
President Tinubu commended Nigerian entrepreneurs for their contributions to the economy, assuring them that his administration remains committed to ongoing reforms and continuous engagement to improve the business environment.
In her remarks, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, highlighted the growing importance of the creative and digital sectors in driving economic diversification and attracting foreign investment into Nigeria.
She explained that the administration has been strengthening infrastructure and policy frameworks to boost investor confidence, particularly in sectors with high growth potential.
Musawa noted that the creative and digital industries offer significant opportunities for entrepreneurs, describing them as sectors capable of delivering strong returns and expanding Nigeria’s global economic footprint.
In her opening remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship Development, Chalya Shagaya, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to positioning entrepreneurs at the centre of national economic planning.
She stated that President Tinubu’s belief in enterprise development is consistent and strategic, adding that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s ambition of building a trillion-dollar economy driven by innovation, productivity, and job creation.
According to her, the theme of the event, “Hustle Meets Policy”, reflects the everyday realities of Nigerian entrepreneurs, who continue to navigate uncertainty, risk, and resilience in their pursuit of growth.
She also acknowledged the contributions of Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside the support of senior government officials, in driving entrepreneurship-focused reforms and ensuring the success of the initiative.
The Renewed Hope Enterprise Bridge Initiative is expected to serve as a structured engagement framework that will allow entrepreneurs to directly interface with the government, provide feedback on policies, and contribute to shaping a more enabling environment for business growth in Nigeria.
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