By Gabriel Ameh
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to accelerating industrialisation, strengthening trade, and improving Nigeria’s investment climate as part of ongoing reforms aimed at stabilising the economy.
This assurance was given during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, in Abuja.
Both ministers emphasised the importance of strategic communication, infrastructure development, and investor-friendly policies in driving Nigeria’s economic transformation under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking during the meeting, Malagi highlighted the Federal Government’s focus on addressing critical gaps in the power sector, particularly transmission, which he described as the weakest link in Nigeria’s electricity value chain.
According to him, the government is working to establish a national asset management framework aimed at strengthening the transmission segment of the power sector to ensure reliable electricity supply.
He explained that stable energy remains essential for Nigeria’s industrial ambitions.
“Massive industrialisation cannot happen without reliable energy. The government has identified transmission as the weakest link in the power sector and is putting special attention there so that Nigeria can achieve stable electricity supply,” the minister said.
Malagi noted that the country’s improving economic stability is already restoring investor confidence, adding that Nigeria is now creating a business environment where investors can operate freely and repatriate their profits without restrictions.
He recalled that only a few years ago several foreign investors faced challenges repatriating funds, particularly in the aviation sector, but stressed that such constraints have now been addressed.
“Today, investors know that they can come to Nigeria, invest their money, conduct legitimate business and repatriate their profits. Nobody’s money is trapped in the banking system anymore,” he stated.
The minister also emphasised Nigeria’s strategic position globally, describing the country as the most populous black nation in the world and a key driver of economic influence across Africa.
“If Nigeria sneezes, many other countries will catch cold,” he said, underscoring the country’s importance to regional development.
He further revealed that the government is implementing reforms in international broadcasting through the Voice of Nigeria, which is expanding its global reach and preparing to begin broadcasting in Mandarin as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s voice internationally.
Earlier, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Oduwole, said her visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Information to amplify the government’s economic reform agenda.
She noted that the ministry is implementing key strategies under the administration’s economic diversification agenda, particularly focusing on expanding non-oil exports, boosting industrial productivity, and attracting investment.
According to her, the ministry has outlined four strategic pillars to drive its programmes in 2026.
The first pillar focuses on unlocking global and regional demand to boost exports and scale industrial productivity across Nigeria’s key sectors.
The second pillar aims to strengthen domestic industrial capacity to enable Nigerian businesses produce export-ready goods and services.
Oduwole explained that the ministry is currently engaging stakeholders across the country through national outreach initiatives to ensure businesses and communities understand how to integrate into regional and global value chains.
The third pillar centres on mobilising strategic and inclusive investments to support infrastructure development, innovation, and industrial transformation.
She said the Federal Government is prioritising policies that support local investors while also attracting foreign investments capable of boosting Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
The fourth pillar, she added, involves leveraging data, digital infrastructure, and strategic communication to ensure that government reforms and economic opportunities are effectively communicated to Nigerians and international partners.
“This is where our media partners play a critical role in telling Nigeria’s economic story and amplifying the evidence of the reforms that have been implemented,” she said.
Oduwole also highlighted Nigeria’s increasing engagement in global trade platforms, including participation in the upcoming ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization scheduled to hold in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
She said Nigeria is positioning itself strategically to maximise opportunities from international trade agreements and regional frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The minister noted that Nigeria has already begun preparations for the global trade meeting and recently convened the first quarter meeting of the national coordination committee on the continental trade framework to review the country’s strategy.
According to her, sectors such as e-commerce, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing are expected to benefit significantly from Nigeria’s strengthened participation in global trade negotiations.
Both ministers agreed that closer collaboration between their ministries will be essential to ensure that Nigeria’s economic reforms, investment opportunities, and industrial policies are effectively communicated to both domestic and international audiences.
