The Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, has expressed concern over the inadequate promotion of Made in Nigeria goods, despite policies like Executive Orders 3 and 5. Speaking during a meeting with the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) in Lagos, Enoh emphasized the need for decisive action to strengthen local manufacturing.

“Promotion of Made in Nigeria goods remains a topic we continuously discuss but fail to act on. Even I am guilty, as are many others in this room,” Enoh candidly admitted, urging stakeholders to confront the industrial challenges with urgency.

The minister outlined key issues facing the sector, including energy crises, foreign exchange volatility, high interest rates, and multiple taxation. He warned against a “business as usual” approach, stressing the need for innovative solutions.

To address these challenges, Enoh announced the establishment of an Industrial Revolution Work Group, a multi-stakeholder body co-chaired by himself and the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Francis Meshioye. The group will act as a task force to tackle the sector’s crises.

“This team will serve as a war group to confront the industrial crisis head-on,” Enoh stated.

Meshioye, also the Chairman of OPSN, highlighted the critical role of the industrial sector in economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement. However, he pointed to forex scarcity, high energy costs, and limited access to credit as persistent barriers.

Despite these hurdles, Meshioye expressed optimism about the collaborative effort. “The challenges are enormous, but with collective efforts, we can co-create solutions and place the sector on the path to sustainable growth,” he said.

The government also pledged to implement legislative reviews and regulatory reforms to remove industrial bottlenecks, signaling a renewed commitment to revitalizing the sector.