Ex-minister Aganga urges industrial work group to prioritise execution, sustainability
Former Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, has urged members of the newly inaugurated Industrial Revolution Work Group to ensure continuity and execution in Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.
Aganga said this while presenting a key note at the inauguration of the IRWG in Abuja on Thursday.
He said that past industrial policies had suffered due to inconsistent execution and called on stakeholders to remain committed to measurable milestones and sustained engagement.
“As we launch the IRWG today, we must all recognise that this is not merely a ceremonial event but the beginning of a decade-defining journey.
“This initiative must not become another policy framework that gathers dust.
“We must be deliberate on executing strategies with clear timelines, accountability mechanisms, and constant engagement with investors,” he said.
Aganga commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for taking a bold step toward revitalising the country’s industrial sector, adding that industrialisation is the backbone of any advanced economy.
According to the former minister, Nigeria’s industrial stagnation is due to inefficiencies, outdated policies, and infrastructural decay.
He said that the IRWG had a responsibility to identify and revive key industries, particularly in textiles, steel, and agro-processing.
“A revitalised textile sector means jobs for thousands; a functional steel industry means infrastructure development; and a flourishing agro-processing industry means food security.
” These are not just economic necessities but national imperatives,” he said.
He outlined four fundamental pillars to drive the IRWG’s work to include policy reform which entailed the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving the ease of doing business.
The former minister said that infrastructure and energy solutions that would address power supply deficiencies and improve logistics would drive the IRWG.
He said that access to finance by providing long term, low cost funding for manufacturers, technology and Innovation through digital transformation was a critical factor.
He said that no government could singlehandedly drive industrialisation , thus the importance for stronger private-sector participation.
“The IRWG’s structure is vital. It brings together the government as an enabler, the private sector as the engine of growth, and academia as the knowledge repository that fuels innovation.
“I urge industry leaders to see the IRWG as a national imperative that requires commitment, accountability, and action beyond rhetoric,” he said.
Aganga commended the leadership of the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, for his dedication to industrial growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also acknowledged the role of Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Trade and Investment, in ensuring that industrial development remained a national priority.
He called for strong synergy between the two ministers to ensure seamless implementation of policies and real impact in the sector.
“As Nigeria embarks on this new industrial push, I charge stakeholders to remain steadfast in execution.
“The IRWG’s success will be judged not by policies but by tangible results, factories reopening, jobs created, and increased economic prosperity.
“The IRWG is not just another initiative. It is the foundation of a new economic dawn. Let us seize this opportunity with the determination and foresight it demands,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the inauguration brought together government officials, industry leaders and development partners, marking a renewed commitment to Nigeria’s industrial future.
(NAN)
