UN Signals Confidence In Nigeria’s Industrial Reboot

Nigeria’s latest industrial strategy is being positioned as more than another policy announcement, following a strong endorsement from the United Nations at the unveiling of the Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 in Abuja. International development partners say the framework signals a turning point in the country’s long-running effort to rebuild its manufacturing base.

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Malick Fall, described the policy as a rare convergence of vision and action. According to him, the new framework reflects a conscious attempt to convert national aspirations into measurable economic outcomes, rather than adding to a long list of unimplemented plans.

Designed with technical support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Industrial Policy 2025 lays out a roadmap for repositioning Nigeria as a competitive manufacturing economy. Its focus spans infrastructure, value-chain development, skills acquisition, access to finance and innovation, all under the guiding principle of moving “from policy to productivity.”

Fall noted that industrialisation remains central to economic diversification, job creation and poverty reduction, adding that the policy aligns closely with global development priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals. He stressed, however, that its success would depend less on intent and more on consistent execution.

A defining element of the framework is the shift away from raw-material exports toward domestic processing. Recent government measures, such as restrictions on raw shea-nut exports, were cited as early indicators of this new direction. Despite being a leading global producer, Nigeria has historically earned limited value from the shea industry due to weak local processing capacity.

Officials say improved performance in shea butter exports and expanding domestic processing show how targeted industrial actions can deliver tangible results. Additional legislation is also being prepared to require minimum levels of local value addition before export, reinforcing the transition from an extractive model to a manufacturing-driven economy.

The policy is equally tied to Nigeria’s continental trade ambitions with the African Continental Free Trade Area gradually opening a market of over one billion people, strengthening domestic production has become critical. UN officials believe effective implementation could deepen Nigeria’s participation in regional and global value chains while boosting export competitiveness.

Beyond trade and output, the industrial reset is framed as a response to social pressures, particularly youth unemployment. By integrating micro, small and medium enterprises into formal value chains and prioritising skills development, the framework aims to ensure that industrial growth is broad-based and inclusive.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s history of well-designed industrial plans, the issues had been around it's execution. However, government representatives insist the current approach places delivery at the centre. Fall echoed this caution, noting that the real test of the policy will be sustained follow-through rather than the launch itself.

For now, the United Nations’ backing offers a measure of confidence that Nigeria’s industrial agenda is entering a more disciplined phase, one where ambition is increasingly matched by action.