Manufacturers in Nigeria are calling for a data-driven approach to implementing the country’s new industrial policy, emphasizing that accountability and sustained execution are crucial to its success.
This call was made during a high-level panel at the recently concluded NECA Employers’ Summit, where private sector leaders stressed that data-backed decision-making will be key to unlocking the policy’s potential during a panel discussion.
The emphasis on data-driven implementation comes as Nigeria’s industrial policy enters a critical phase, with stakeholders assessing progress on economic reforms. Business leaders are urging policymakers to prioritize execution and ensure that decisions are guided by robust data, rather than mere policy statements.
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director-general of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, described the industrial policy as a landmark achievement. “This is the most comprehensive industrial policy we’ve ever had since independence,” he said.
“It clearly outlines the areas we need to focus upon to transform our industrial landscape,” he said, confirming that a public scorecard review is expected soon.
Ade Adefeko, vice president, corporate & government relations, Olam, stressed the need for Nigeria to move beyond raw commodity exports. “We’ve been moving arithmetically in terms of production and value addition rather than geometrically. What doesn’t get measured doesn’t get done,” he noted.
Citing export data on certain commodities, Sadiq Kassim, director of corporate affairs TGI Group, revealed that within the first quarter of 2026 alone, Nigeria exported N10 billion worth of shea butter and N53 billion worth of soya meal, stating it as a clear indicator that the policy’s focus on local processing is gaining traction.
“Members involved in shea processing now have a definite government pronouncement. They have invested, they are moving forward,” Kassim said. “The policy is giving us the confidence to invest backwards rather than importing finished products,” he added.
Reaffirming his organisation’s strategic commitment to backward integration and local manufacturing, Kassim called for a public-facing implementation dashboard with binding timelines. “What doesn’t get measured doesn’t get done. We need to track progress and hold government accountable,” he insisted.
“The policy is barely three months old, but we already see early wins.” “If we maintain this momentum, with consistent data, inter-agency coordination, and private sector buy-in, Nigeria can finally break the commodity trap and become a true industrial powerhouse.”
The panelists unanimously agreed that while Nigeria’s industrial policy provides a solid foundation, success depends on execution, inter-ministerial cooperation, and consistent measurement. They called for structured quarterly engagements between the private sector and government to ensure the policy delivers tangible results.
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