Figures cited by The Guardian show that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has thrown its full weight behind the newly launched National Industrial Policy (NIP). Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the Director-General of MAN, stated that the framework is fundamentally distinct from previous attempts because it was co-created with private sector stakeholders and features a rigorous ten-year implementation roadmap. The policy’s primary objective is to double the real sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) within a decade, transforming the country into a regional manufacturing hub.
In a report by ThisDay, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment explained that the NIP focuses on dismantling barriers to growth, particularly in the areas of power supply and cross-border trade. The policy is designed to align with the “willing buyer, willing seller” philosophy, encouraging a market-driven approach to industrialization.
By providing specific incentives for domestic value creation, the government hopes to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imports and stimulate the export of finished Nigerian goods to the global market.
Validation from Vanguard confirms that the policy has been met with optimism by development partners, who view it as a credible path toward the $1 trillion GDP goal. Punch Newspaper quoted industry experts saying, “The success of this policy lies in its inter-ministerial coordination,” which aims to synchronize trade, finance, and infrastructure efforts.
Analysts suggest that if properly executed, the manufacturing sector could see a significant influx of foreign direct investment as the regulatory environment becomes more predictable.
Echotitbits take:
A decade-long roadmap provides the stability that manufacturers have been craving. The real test, however, will be the consistency of implementation across different administrations. If the government can successfully lower the “cost of doing business” through this policy, Nigeria could finally see the industrial resurgence required to tackle mass unemployment.
Source: The Guardian – https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria-launches-industrial-policy-to-drive-manufacturing-growth/, and February 19, 2026
Photo credit: The Guardian
