FG, Lagos urge Nigerians to embrace made-in-Nigeria goods

By Adeola Ogunrinde

The federal and Lagos State governments on Monday called for investment in the production and consumption of Made-in-Nigeria products to boost Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This call was made during the 16th meeting of the National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (NCITI), hosted by the Lagos State government and organised by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folasade Bada Ambrose, noted that Nigeria must urgently diversify from over-reliance on oil by investing in and consuming locally made products. “The urgent need to diversify our economic base has become more than a policy agenda; it is now an imperative for survival,” she said.

Ambrose explained that the meeting was an opportunity for stakeholders to chart strategic pathways for positioning Nigeria, especially Lagos, as a major player in a diversified and resilient economy. She highlighted that Lagos, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has made significant efforts in infrastructure, policy reforms, and creating an enabling business environment.

She mentioned the Lekki Free Zone, land administration reforms, tax transparency, and the installation of 3,000 kilometers of fibre optic infrastructure as key steps taken to support business growth. Additionally, the new industrial policy (2025–2030) aims to provide an enabling environment for MSMEs, large-scale industries, and global investors.

Ambrose emphasized the importance of trade, noting Lagos’ partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to help local producers compete on a continental level. “Trade is a powerful tool for economic inclusion, poverty reduction, and shared prosperity,” she added.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Nura Abba Rimi, said Nigeria must act with agility in response to global economic shifts. He called for strengthened manufacturing, sectoral cluster development, improved ease of doing business, and better access to finance for SMEs.

Rimi stressed the ministry’s commitment to facilitating growth and building investor confidence through actionable policy and regulatory support. “This meeting offers an opportunity to deepen dialogue and carve out actionable policies,” he said.

Renowned economist and keynote speaker Abiodun Adesire reiterated that no country thrives economically by relying on imports. “We must be deliberate in attracting investors and producing what we consume. Manufacturing is key to economic prosperity,” he said.

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