By Progress Godfrey

ABUJA — The Federal Government has launched the Nigeria Industrial Policy (NIP) 2025, signalling a shift from theoretical economic planning to a results-driven framework aimed at transforming the nation into a global production hub.

Delivering a welcome address at the official unveiling in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, said the policy is designed to move Nigeria beyond a consumption-driven economy toward sustainable industrial performance.

According to him, the initiative represents the structured fulfilment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inaugural pledge to prioritise production as the primary engine for national growth. He explained that the policy was developed through extensive technical sessions with the Industrial Revolution Work Group to align finance, infrastructure, and trade within a coherent framework.

Enoh noted that, unlike previous policy documents, the implementation framework for NIP 2025 was finalised before its public unveiling to ensure immediate execution and accountability across participating sectors. He added that the policy focuses on measurable outcomes such as factory expansion, job retention, and investor confidence rather than political rhetoric.

“The implementation framework was developed before the unveiling. That is the difference you witness today. This is not a document seeking execution; it is execution introducing a document,” he said.

Dangote Urges Protection for Local Industries

In his goodwill message, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, commended the Federal Government for the initiative but stressed that the survival of domestic industries depends on stringent protectionist measures against foreign dumping.

“Even if you give us money with no interest and free land with power, if there is no protection, there is no way any industry will thrive,” Dangote said, warning that excessive importation undermines local jobs and economic growth.

He noted that Nigeria’s private sector contributes about 90 percent of national GDP, providing a strong foundation for disposable income and domestic prosperity if supported by stable power supply and currency management.

Dangote added that with inflation dropping to about 15 percent and the naira stabilising around ₦1,340 per dollar, the currency could strengthen further if the government maintains discipline in protecting local manufacturers and curbing excessive importation.

He identified electricity supply as the biggest hurdle to industrial growth, criticising the high cost of running factories on generators and urging the government to prioritise fixing the national grid.

“Without power, there is no way in any country you can create growth or jobs,” he said, recommending a national retreat to resolve Nigeria’s electricity challenges and unlock industrial prosperity.