Nigeria Pushes for Industrial Revamp with Key Appointments and Private Sector Drive
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to industrial transformation, export competitiveness, quality assurance and strong public–private collaboration with the inauguration of key governing boards under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and a high-level engagement with the organised private sector in Abuja.
The series of activities commenced with the inauguration of the Governing Board of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA). The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, delivered the opening remarks, underscoring the importance of institutional leadership, policy alignment and effective governance in advancing national economic objectives.
Inaugurating the Board, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, described oil and gas free zones as strategic instruments for industrialisation, investment attraction and value chain development under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She emphasised the responsibility of the Board to provide direction, oversight and regulatory discipline in line with the OGFZA Act, while ensuring that incentives granted by the government translate into tangible economic value.
The Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, noted that the inauguration marked a critical governance milestone in Nigeria’s industrial and export-led growth journey. He stressed the need for export processing zones to function as effective engines of production, employment and foreign exchange generation, adding that government expectations now centre on performance, accountability and measurable outcomes.
In her acceptance remarks, the Chairman of the OGFZA Governing Board, Mrs. Lydia Kalat Musa, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confidence reposed in the Board and pledged a commitment to responsible leadership, collaboration with management and stakeholders, and the effective discharge of the Authority’s statutory mandate.
The second event was the inauguration of the Governing Board of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA). Opening the ceremony, Amb.Nura Abba Rimi reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening institutional frameworks that support industrial growth, export expansion and investor confidence.
Dr. Oduwole reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to reposition export processing zones as drivers of non-oil exports, manufacturing growth and Nigeria’s integration into regional and global value chains.
Senator John Owan Enoh emphasised that NEPZA’s mandate remains central to Nigeria’s industrial competitiveness, noting that effective governance, transparency and decisive action are essential to unlocking the full potential of the zones.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the NEPZA Governing Board, Senator Tijani Yahaya Laura, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and pledged to work collectively with fellow Board members and management to advance the Authority’s objectives in line with national priorities.
The final inauguration of the day was that of the Governing Council of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). In his opening remarks, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi highlighted the importance of institutional cooperation, policy coherence and adherence to international best practices in strengthening Nigeria’s standards and quality infrastructure.
Addressing the Council, Dr. Oduwole described standards as a cornerstone of economic transformation, noting their critical role in protecting consumers, supporting local industries and positioning Nigerian products competitively in regional and global markets.
Senator John Owan Enoh reinforced the strategic importance of effective standardisation and compliance in promoting industrial self-reliance, investor confidence and fair competition.
In his acceptance remarks, the Chairman of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Governing Council, Honourable Yahuzu Ado Inuwa, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confidence placed in the Council members and pledged to advance quality assurance, strengthen compliance mechanisms and engage stakeholders in building a standards-driven economy.
Earlier in the day, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment hosted a delegation from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on a courtesy visit to her office in Abuja. Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Oduwole reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening public–private sector collaboration as a critical driver of investment, industrial development and economic growth.
The LCCI delegation, led by its President and Chairman of Council, Engr. Leye Kupoluyi, described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen engagement with the Ministry and align private sector priorities with ongoing reforms. He commended the Ministry’s efforts to reposition Nigeria as a competitive destination for trade and investment and reiterated the Chamber’s commitment to enterprise development and inclusive economic growth.
Engr. Kupoluyi highlighted key policy initiatives of interest to the private sector and outlined prevailing business challenges, while proposing enhanced dialogue, regulatory reforms, value-chain development and trade facilitation measures. He also congratulated the Honourable Minister on Nigeria’s successful bid to host the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2027 in Lagos and reaffirmed LCCI’s readiness to support Nigeria’s trade promotion agenda.
The engagements collectively underscored the Federal Government’s renewed focus on institutional strengthening, effective governance, quality assurance and sustained partnership with the private sector as central pillars of Nigeria’s industrial and economic transformation drive.
