Kwara State Government has appealed for collective action to advance Nigeria’s industrial revolution, describing it as both a responsibility and a chance for government and local manufacturers to convert untapped potential into tangible outcomes.
At the 11th Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kwara/Kogi States Branch in Ilorin, Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi said Nigeria must move from rhetoric to production as it stands at a pivotal stage of development.
Alabi, represented by Commissioner for Special Duties Hon John Bello Alabi, cautioned against continued reliance on crude oil and imported goods, warning that such economic models leave the country vulnerable to global disruptions and supply chain shocks.
“The lesson is clear: Nigeria must industrialise as a matter of economic survival and national dignity,” he stated, commending the creativity of Nigerian entrepreneurs, from rice mills in Patigi to ceramics in Lokoja and footwear makers in Ilorin. He emphasised that this capacity needs ongoing support, scalability and sustainability.
He called for inclusive policymaking through strategic collaboration between government and industry players, pressing all stakeholders to act with both political commitment and industrial determination.
“Let us not industrialise only in theory, but in practice — in factories, on product labels and in containers carrying Nigerian goods beyond our borders,” Alabi added.
The Deputy Governor lauded MAN’s continued contributions to the economy and expressed hope that the meeting would strengthen the resolve to build a competitive, self-reliant and productive Nigeria.
Secretary to the State Government Professor Mamman Jibril Shaaba earlier stressed the urgent need to attract greater foreign investment as a pathway to economic expansion, technology transfer and job creation. Represented by Director of State Economic Affairs Mrs Funmilayo Ajide, Shaaba said partnerships with international bodies could supply critical expertise and generate employment, especially for Nigeria’s expanding youth population.
He underscored the need to reduce dependence on oil exports and called for stronger support for small and medium-sized enterprises to drive innovation and entrepreneurship, while advocating for simpler regulations, sustainable practices and deeper collaboration between public and private sectors to ensure the resilience of Nigeria’s industrial base.
State Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology Hon Damilola Adelodun described the AGM’s theme, “Industrial Revolution of Nigeria: Obligation and Opportunity for Government and Local Manufacturers”, as timely, emphasising the importance of closer cooperation between government and industry to secure sustainable growth and national resilience.
Adelodun outlined initiatives by the AbdulRazaq administration, including the Kwara Innovation Hub, Kwara Garment Factory and the Kwara State Industrial Park in Eiyenkorin, Asa Local Government Area, designed to host diverse industries, including a Compressed Natural Gas conversion plant and an export processing zone.
She commended the perseverance and innovation of local manufacturers and reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to providing enabling policies and infrastructure, announcing sponsorship for local manufacturers to attend the 4th Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algeria.
