The long awaited National Industrial Policy would soon be unveiled by the federal government, Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, has disclosed.
He spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos on Monday to herald a two-day technical session of the Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG) with the theme: “From Activities to Outcomes: Driving Industrial Renaissance.”
The minister revealed that the ministry has set up an Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG) to review all previous government policies on trade.
The IRWG aims to reinvigorate Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, driven by the realization that “No nation can achieve lasting economic prosperity without a robust and dynamic industrial base.”
Senator Enoh also noted that despite the fact that the government had committed $2 billion to a backward integration drive in the sugar industry, much has not been achieved.
Senator Enoh, who is optimistic that the programme would work, disclosed that the ministry was partnering with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to ensure the workability of decisions arrived at.
“Nigeria has talked enough, now we must deliver. Our economic ambition can no longer be delayed by inertia, working in silos or bureaucracy. This forum must be where directions meet discipline and ambition meets implementation.
“Over the next two days, the leading voices across finance, energy, regulations, infrastructure, innovations and skills are challenged to design and drive an agenda that accelerates industrial traction on the ground.
“We must focus on outcomes that touch lives – uninterrupted power, affordable finance for manufacturers, regulatory paths, and a thriving made in Nigeria ecosystem that commands respect at home and abroad,” he stated.
He promised that a full-fledged, updated national industrial policy, reflective of current economic realities with relevant stakeholders’ input, will soon be finalised and presented.
He said, “I am pleased to announce that the Draft National Industrial Policy is now ready for revalidation, and will be circulated very selectively to thematic group leads and selected partners for meaningful input and eventual validation.
“This policy is not intended to sit on a shelf. It is a living instrument that must speak to current realities — energy insecurity, weak logistics, talent gaps, global supply chain shifts — and respond with clarity, coordination, and bold reforms.
“Although we will meet again at a later date, to be scheduled shortly to discuss the policy, your insights over the next two days will be critical in shaping a document that is not only visionary but actionable. We are not looking for a theoretical masterpiece — we are building a practical national roadmap.
“This policy will not sit on a shelf. It will be a working document that speaks directly to the challenges of energy insecurity, weak infrastructure, regulatory bottlenecks and the need for a globally competitive manufacturing sector,” he said.
According to him, the era of policy pronouncement with little or no follow-up is over.
He stated that the current administration is working assiduously to restore the private sector’s confidence in the economy and revive moribund industries.
He noted that the wave of industrial shutdowns and closures has started to decline, pointing to signs of recovery driven by increased private sector optimism and government actions aimed at rebuilding trust in the economy.
He said, “We are not here for symbolism or routine talk-shops. We are here because something must shift permanently and decisively in the way we pursue Nigeria’s industrial ambition. Success cannot be measured by the size of our communique or the elegance of our presentations. It must be measured by the systems we fix, the industries we revive, the jobs we create and the lives we impact”, he said.
