The Federal Government is set to industrialise Nigeria and lessen the country’s dependence on imported goods. This was disclosed by Jumoke Oduwole, minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, at a ministerial press briefing on Tuesday, March 4, at the National Press Centre Abuja.
To realise this, the federal government is implementing measures to revolutionise Nigeria’s manufacturing sector through the Industrial Revolution Work Group, IRWG, a project inaugurated to address gaps in the manufacturing sector.
The Industrial Revolution Work Group “is an elite task force with a focus on a Nigerian industrial revolution plan for a larger innovation-driven economy,” Oduwole said. The work group would resolve critical bottlenecks and develop long-term strategies for industrial growth.
As part of the plan, the National Automotive Council is said to be “strengthening local automotive capabilities and creating access to finances, technology, innovation, research and development. The ministry remains committed to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by driving strategic reforms and industrial initiatives aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s economic transformation.”
Though Tinubu’s government will be two years on May 29, Oduwole is just marking her 100 days in office. Significant milestones achieved in her first 100 days in office are: “progress in trade expansion under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), landmark investment initiatives positioning Nigeria as a premier investment destination in Africa and the establishment of the Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG).”
She said the ministry’s strategic vision for 2025 and beyond, “is a focus on strengthening industrial capacity, improving trade facilitation, and fostering investment opportunities for both local and international stakeholders.
“Our goal is to foster sustainable development, attract investments, and position Nigeria as a competitive player on the global stage. We are committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and contribute to our nation’s prosperity.”
Similarly, John Owan Enoh, minister of state for Industry, Trade, and Investment said that “the inauguration of the Industrial Revolution Work Group marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s industrial sector. This elite task force is set to revolutionize the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) by fostering a modern, innovation-driven economy. The IRWG will identify potential risks and challenges, enabling proactive risk assessment and mitigation measures. By analyzing industry trends, the IRWG will provide predictive results to inform strategic planning and decision-making. Our goal is to create a scalable impact on Nigeria’s economy, driving growth and creating new opportunities for businesses and individuals.”
Looking ahead, Oduwole said the ministry “is committed to furthering economic diversification, supporting SMEs, and enhancing Nigeria’s trade and investment landscape. Initiatives such as the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ), and the revitalization of the Cotton, Textile, and Garments (CTG) industry are set to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s industrial sectors.”
Earlier, Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, said it was “an important opportunity for the honourable ministers to brief Nigerians on the successes and milestones achieved under their leadership. This session provides a multi-media platform for open engagement, allowing the public to gain firsthand insight into the policies, programmes, and reforms driving the ministry’s mandate”.
According to him, “Every minister will have the opportunity to engage with the media during this Ministerial Press Briefing Session. This initiative is designed by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to keep Nigerians informed about the government’s activities to ensure that citizens remain active participants in the nation’s governance and development.”
He commended the media for coverage of the ministerial briefing. “Your commitment to informing and enlightening Nigerians about the policies, programmes, and achievements of this administration is invaluable. The media remains a vital pillar in our democracy by ensuring that the people remain informed, engaged, and empowered to participate actively in the governance process.
“I urge the media to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, responsibility, and professionalism. In an era where misinformation and sensationalism can easily distort public perception, your commitment to truth and fairness is more important than ever. We must work together to ensure that the narratives shaping public discourse reflect the realities of governance, devoid of bias or undue sensationalism”.
Anayochukwu Agbo
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