ABUJA – In a landmark event in Abuja, on Thursday, the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan-Enoh, inaugurated the Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG), declaring, “The Industrial Revolution Work Group is not the conclusion of a conversation—it is the commencement of a transformation.”
This initiative is poised to transform Nigeria’s industrial landscape by reviving dormant sectors and positioning the nation as a competitive force in the global market.
The IRWG forms a pivotal component of the federal Government-approved Presidential Council on Industrial Revitalisation Roadmap, established in October 2023 and chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
Designed to bridge the gap between Nigeria’s present state and its industrial future, the work group will employ stakeholder engagement, evidence-based policy development, and consistent implementation to drive economic development.
The IRWG is charged with a clear and ambitious mandate: to design, champion, and implement strategies that will rejuvenate the nation’s industrial base. The initiative is anchored on four transformative pillars:
- Revitalising Dormant Industries: Conducting a meticulous audit of once-thriving industries to develop tailored intervention strategies for their resurgence.
- Enhancing Global Competitiveness & Expanding Export Markets: Positioning Nigerian industries to not only meet local demands but also compete on the international stage, leveraging opportunities such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and global trade alliances.
- Infrastructure & Energy Solutions: Collaborating with key stakeholders to address critical bottlenecks in infrastructure, logistics, and power supply—essentials for a successful industrial revolution.
- Technology, Innovation & Workforce Development: Embracing digital transformation, automation, and a research-driven ecosystem to secure Nigeria’s place in the emerging global industrial economy.
The inauguration event was graced by several industry stalwarts and key policymakers. The keynote address was delivered by Olusegun Aganga, former Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who underscored the strategic importance of the IRWG.
The presence of Permanent Secretary Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment Mr. John Ogochukwu Uwajumogu, Chairman of MAN Otunba Francis Meshioye, OFR, MD of BOI Dr Oasupo Olusi, as well as directors and representatives from the Federation of Manufacturers, various government agencies, and organised labour, highlighted the collaborative effort behind this transformative initiative.
The IRWG’s membership is a robust cross-section of expertise drawn from multiple ministries and agencies. It includes the Honourable Minister of State for Industry as Chairman, the MAN President as Co-Chairman, and key figures from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Power, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Port Authority, and various industry associations such as NACCIMA, NECA, NASME, and NASSI. The Secretariat of the IRWG comprises the Director Chemical and Non Petrochemical, Director IID, and the Chief Advisor to HMS/PEBEC/IDD, ensuring cohesive operational management.
With its comprehensive mandate and broad-based collaboration, the Industrial Revolution Work Group is set to be a catalyst for measurable and transformative change. Industry experts and stakeholders alike are optimistic that this initiative will not only resurrect Nigeria’s dormant industries but also empower a new generation of manufacturers, ultimately integrating Nigeria more deeply into the global industrial economy.
As the IRWG embarks on its mission, all eyes are on its potential to deliver tangible, paradigm-shifting achievements—heralding a new chapter in Nigeria’s industrial evolution.
