President Tinubu Unveils Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 as Dangote Advocates for Power Sector Reforms
Industrial Policy 2025 Launched in Abuja; Dangote Highlights Power Challenges
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally launched the Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025, a strategic framework intended to reposition the industrial sector, enhance local production and elevate manufacturing’s contribution to economic growth. The unveiling took place at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, with Kashim Shettima representing the president at the event.
The launch arrives following an earlier soft introduction of the policy in Lagos and signifies the federal government’s commitment to deepening value addition, addressing structural bottlenecks and accelerating industrial expansion.
Policy Framework and Strategic Objectives
The Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 is designed as a roadmap to transform the nation’s industrial base by shifting away from raw material exports toward enhanced value-added production. It aims to integrate micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into the industrial growth narrative and improve coordination across key sectors including trade, finance, infrastructure, energy and skills development.
President Tinubu emphasised that the success of the new policy will be judged by measurable outcomes specifically the number of new factories established, volume of jobs created, export performance and the retention of value within the domestic economy.
The policy framework also aligns with long-term national objectives to boost manufacturing output, reduce dependence on imported goods, and raise domestic value chains’ contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030.
Private Sector Response: Power Sector Reforms
At the launch, Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, used the platform to underline the critical importance of power sector reform as an enabler of industrial growth. Dangote called for a national forum to address persistent electricity challenges, asserting that reliable and affordable power is essential for manufacturing competitiveness and sustainable investment.
Dangote acknowledged recent federal efforts to stabilise the foreign exchange market, but maintained that without dependable electricity, industrial expansion remains constrained. His remarks reflect broader concerns among manufacturers about infrastructural deficits, especially energy, which consistently rank among the foremost barriers to industrial competitiveness in Nigeria.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Implementation Imperatives
Speaking at the event, representatives of industry associations emphasised that effective implementation will be central to the policy’s success. The President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria noted manufacturers’ commitment to aligning with the policy goals and urged robust public-private collaboration to realise the intended outcomes.
The policy was initially introduced earlier in January by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, with a stated objective of increasing manufacturing’s share of GDP to between 20 per cent and 25 per cent by 2030.
Broader Economic Context
The Industrial Policy 2025 complements ongoing government reforms aimed at stimulating economic diversification and competitiveness. Nigeria’s manufacturing sector has historically been impeded by structural challenges including inconsistent energy supply, limited access to finance and infrastructure deficits. Current reforms are designed to address these bottlenecks and attract both domestic and foreign investment.
Observers note that the realisation of industrial growth targets will depend on synchronised policy execution across government ministries and agencies, and on decisive action in critical sectors such as power, logistics and regulatory reform.
Conclusion: Forward Outlook
The Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 represents a strategic blueprint for re-energising the nation’s industrial sector. Its launch is a significant policy milestone that prioritises value addition, export growth and private sector engagement. However, realising its objectives will require not only structured implementation but also substantive progress in foundational areas like energy infrastructure a point underscored by leading industry voices.
As Nigeria seeks to bolster manufacturing performance and attract sustained investment, the alignment of policy intention with measurable delivery will be critical to enhancing competitiveness, creating jobs and strengthening the economy’s industrial base.
