By Juliet Nwogu
A significant shift in Nigeria’s industrial landscape which brings together key stakeholders, including government officials, captains of industry, development partners, and members of the organized private sector has been recorded.
This landmark event was recorded as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh inaugurated the Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG) in Abuja.
Senator Enoh, who emphasized the importance of a robust industrial foundation in achieving economic greatness, cited global industrial powerhouses like Germany, China, South Korea, and the United States.
This is as he also noted that Nigeria possesses the necessary resources and workforce but requires a structured and results-oriented roadmap.
It could be recalled that the IRWG aligns with the Presidential Council on Industrial Revitalization Roadmap, established in October 2023. Its mandate is to drive economic transformation through strategic policy development, stakeholder engagement, and consistent implementation.
Senator Enoh reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring industrialization remains a central driver of economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He called for collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia, stressing that the success of the IRWG will be measured by tangible outcomes like factory reopenings, job creation, and increased economic prosperity.
The inauguration event featured addresses by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment Amb Nura Abba Rimi and Dr. Olusegun Aganga, former Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment. Aganga emphasized the need for continuity in industrial policies, policy reform, infrastructure enhancement, access to finance, and technological innovation to drive industrial growth.
With the IRWG in place, Nigeria is poised to reclaim its position as an industrial powerhouse on the global stage.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Amb Nura Abba Rimi highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative within the government’s transformation agenda.
He urged members of the IRWG to approach their mandate with creativity, innovation, and strategic collaboration, emphasizing that industrialization remains the most viable pathway to economic self-sufficiency and a stronger national currency.
Dr Olusegun Aganga, former Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, also spoke at the event, calling for continuity in industrial policies to ensure sustainable growth.
Reflecting on past challenges, he acknowledged that Nigeria had previously launched an Industrial Revolution Plan in 2014 but failed to sustain its implementation.
He emphasized that industrial development requires deliberate and consistent action, pointing to global examples such as China, Germany, and the United States, where industrial policies have been rigorously implemented and refined over time.
Outlining the critical role of industrialization in job creation, economic diversification, and national wealth accumulation. Nigeria, he noted, has vast natural resources, including over 45 commercially viable solid minerals, a top-ranking oil and gas sector, and an extensive agricultural base.
However, the nation must add value to these resources rather than continue exporting raw materials without developing a strong manufacturing base. He advised
Aganga urged stakeholders to prioritize policy reform, infrastructure enhancement, access to finance, and technological innovation to drive industrial growth. He also emphasized the necessity of a stable macroeconomic environment, efficient customs procedures, and regulatory frameworks that support industrial expansion and export competitiveness.
