By Franklin Alli
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has expended $40,791,198 (about N6.118 billion), on 181 industrial projects in Nigeria over the past two decades.

Investigation reveals that the UNIDO projects are mostly small and medium enterprises spread across different sector of the industrial landscape in the country.  For instance, the Organisation recently granted $27,400 (about N4 million) to Austin LAZ Iceblock Machine Co2 refrigeration technology.

Other projects, among others, include assistance to the leather industry cluster in Aba , Aba Textile project $730.90; assistance to the leather industry cluster and hides and skins improvement in Kano $126,561; strengthening productive and trade capacities of the cotton, textile and garment industry in Nigeria $16,983, mini- grids based on renewable energy9small hydro and bio-mass) sources to augment rural electrification $36,561, etc.

UNIDO is the specialised agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalisation and environmental sustainability.

Its mandate is to promote and accelerate sustainable industrial development in developing countries and economies in transition, and work towards improving living conditions in the world’s poorest countries by drawing on its combined global resources and expertise.

In recent years, UNIDO has assumed an enhanced role in the global development agenda by focusing its activities on poverty reduction, inclusive globalisation and environmental sustainability. Its services are based on two core functions: as a global forum, it generate and disseminate industry-related knowledge; as a technical cooperation agency, it provide technical support and implement projects.