By Peace Erewunmi

Chairman of Heirs Holdings and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu, has expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, particularly efforts aimed at strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting young entrepreneurs and improving Nigeria’s power sector.

Elumelu made the remarks after a meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where they discussed key economic issues affecting businesses and the Nigerian economy.

Speaking to State House correspondents, Elumelu said he considers it a privilege to engage directly with the President on economic matters.

«“I love to sit with my president and discuss economic issues, give feedback from what we think is happening in the economy, and then constructively agree.”»

As a member of the Presidential Economic Council, Elumelu said the meeting provided an opportunity to share perspectives from the private sector and exchange ideas on policies that could improve economic growth.

He said discussions focused heavily on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), describing them as critical drivers of job creation and economic development. Elumelu said he was encouraged by Tinubu’s interest in expanding support for entrepreneurs through tax reforms and interventions by institutions such as the Bank of Industry.

The business leader also highlighted the power sector as another major issue discussed during the meeting. He stressed that reliable electricity is essential for businesses and industrial productivity, while noting the importance of resolving financial challenges within the electricity value chain.

Elumelu said he was impressed by what he described as the President’s commitment to supporting SMEs, young entrepreneurs and efforts to improve electricity supply.

The comments have generated reactions among Nigerians, particularly amid ongoing public debate over the impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms. While supporters see the endorsement from a major private-sector figure as encouraging, critics continue to question the social and economic effects of the government’s policies.

Elumelu’s remarks therefore add another prominent private-sector voice to the national conversation over the direction of Nigeria’s economy under the Tinubu administration.