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By Precious Ologun
President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s determination to prioritise the growth of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector through policies that promote the production, consumption and export of Made-in-Nigeria goods.
The President made this known through the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, who delivered his address at the Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in Lagos.
The Minister commended MAN for its leadership role in advancing the nation’s industrial agenda, emphasising that the sector remains critical to achieving sustainable economic growth.
“From the day I assumed responsibility for industry, I have seen firsthand the collaboration and commitment of MAN to national development.
“Our partnership has strengthened Nigeria’s drive toward self-sufficiency and industrial innovation.”
He further disclosed that the federal government is set to launch a national campaign promoting Made-in-Nigeria goods and services, emphasizing that local production is essential to economic resilience and job creation.
According to him, the campaign aims to shift national demand toward Nigerian products that meet global quality standards, while also addressing the country’s import dependency. He noted that preliminary studies have shown that such a campaign could boost the manufacturing sector by up to 6% and create over 500,000 jobs within the next three years.
Themed: “Nigeria First; Prioritising the Development of Made-in-Nigeria” the president said “no country achieves prosperity or dignity without producing what it can and exporting at scale what it does best.”
The President acknowledged the resilience of Nigerian manufacturers who continue to invest, produce, and employ despite economic challenges, describing them as “the backbone of national resilience.”
He emphasised that “Nigeria First” is not just a slogan but a strategic policy direction to align public procurement, partnerships, and fiscal incentives toward supporting domestic industries.
President Tinubu announced the implementation of the new Nigerian Industrial Policy, which includes key reforms in infrastructure, energy, skills development, financing, and export readiness. He revealed that the industrial sector grew by 7.45% and manufacturing by 1.6% in the second quarter of 2025, but emphasized that “this is progress, not yet a mission accomplished.”
Highlighting the role of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Tinubu stated that over N97 billion in funding had been disbursed between Q4 2023 and Q3 2025 to support sectors including food processing, agro-industries, pharmaceuticals, and technology, creating over 150,000 direct jobs.
He further detailed projects and partnerships that have strengthened local production capacity, including expansion in steel, cable, automotive, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“Economics of resilience begins in the factory and thrives in the marketplace,” President Tinubu stated. “We are committed to reducing structural costs and enabling our manufacturers to compete effectively both at home and abroad.”
President Tinubu outlined six key policy commitments under the “Nigeria First” strategy to include
Federal Procurement Reforms, which states that all ministries and agencies will prioritize certified local manufacturers in procurement, with quarterly reports showing compliance levels.
“Quality and Standards Enforcement: Only products certified by relevant Nigerian standards agencies will qualify for federal preference.
“Export Expansion:Support for 500+ manufacturers to access new export markets through financing and trade facilitation.
“Access to Finance; The BOI and private sector partners will expand long-term, low-interest financing for backward integration and capacity growth.
“Energy and Logistics; Development of industrial corridors and embedded power solutions to reduce production costs and improve reliability.
“Skills Development and Input Security, Strengthening of industrial training, mechanization, and agro-industrial value chains to boost self-reliance.”
The President urged MAN members to uphold quality and transparency in production while collaborating with government agencies to share accurate data on capacity and pricing for effective policy planning.
He assured Nigerians that the administration’s industrial agenda will result in better quality products, increased local jobs, improved safety standards, and stronger export competitiveness.
“Our nation will do better only to the extent that industry and manufacturing occupy their rightful place,” the President affirmed. “With the right policies and shared responsibility, we can make Nigeria the pride of Africa and a global industrial hub.”
