Full Implementation of Industrial Policy Vital for Nigeria’s Economic Growth – MAN
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the Federal Government to fully implement the forthcoming national industrial policy if the country is to achieve true industrialisation. The association stressed that proper execution through the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG) would be the turning point for the nation’s manufacturing sector and overall economy.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, MAN President Francis Meshioye expressed cautious optimism about Nigeria’s industrial prospects, noting that while the industry grew by 7.45 per cent in Q2 2025, the manufacturing sector lagged behind at just 1.60 per cent, with its share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declining to 7.81 per cent. He said that though Nigeria has not reached industrialised status since independence, coordinated efforts between government and private stakeholders could lay the foundation for long-term transformation.
Meshioye, who also co-chairs the IRWG, highlighted the group’s role as a collaborative platform between ministries, government agencies, and the private sector. He explained that the body, inaugurated earlier in 2025, meets quarterly to develop strategies for boosting local production, creating jobs, and reducing the country’s dependence on imports. “This is the platform where government and private sector meet to solve challenges and move the country forward,” he said.
The MAN president further emphasised that the success of the new industrial policy will depend on consistent implementation and monitoring. According to him, the IRWG is designed not just to craft policies but also to ensure reforms around access to finance, infrastructure provision, regulatory bottlenecks, and energy security are effectively executed. MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, also underscored the need for a policy framework that “contains all that is required to truly industrialise Nigeria.”
In September, Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, disclosed that the draft of the new National Industrial Policy had been completed and was undergoing revalidation. He assured stakeholders that the framework would address pressing challenges such as energy shortages, logistics bottlenecks, talent gaps, and shifting global supply chains. For MAN, however, the ultimate measure of success will be how well these policies are executed — and whether they can finally drive Nigeria toward the industrialisation it has long pursued.
source: punch