Nigeria’s federal government on Sunday intensified its campaign to bolster local manufacturing, calling on private-sector leaders to partner with the state to scale production, reduce import dependence and absorb an expanding pool of unemployed youth. The appeal, delivered at a meeting convened by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, outlined a mix of incentives and policy signals designed to make domestic production more attractive to investors.

“We cannot industrialize without industry,” a senior ministry official told reporters after the session, adding that the government will accelerate regulatory reforms, streamline approvals and prioritize infrastructure investments that lower operating costs for manufacturers. The official said government proposals would focus initially on agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles and light manufacturing—sectors where Nigeria has both raw-material endowments and large unmet domestic demand.

The call comes against a backdrop of persistent external vulnerabilities: a fragile naira, costly foreign exchange shortages, and a shock-prone supply chain that exposed the economy’s reliance on imports for basic inputs. Manufacturing’s share of GDP has long lagged, and analysts say reviving the sector is critical to reversing jobless growth. “This is about strategic autonomy,” the official said. “Local production reduces exposure to external shocks and builds capacity for exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area.”

Private-sector reaction was cautious but not dismissive. A senior executive at a leading agro-processing firm, speaking on condition of anonymity, welcomed the policy clarity but said investors needed concrete guarantees on power, ports and predictable access to foreign exchange. “Commitments are necessary, but they must be backed by budgetary priority and operational plans,” the executive said. “We need cheaper and longer-term finance, and swift action on tariffs and rules of origin to protect local producers without unnecessarily breaching trade obligations.”

Economic analysts note the delicate balance Nigeria must strike between protectionist measures and compliance with its international trade commitments. As an AfCFTA signatory and WTO member, Nigeria faces constraints on outright import bans; instead, experts expect the government to rely on a mix of fiscal incentives, procurement preferences and temporary safeguard measures. Legal advisers caution that any protective policies should be time-bound and transparently administered to avoid disputes with trading partners and to encourage, rather than deter, foreign direct investment.

Finance constraints are a central obstacle. With public coffers stretched and debt service demands rising, officials said they would seek to leverage private capital and multilateral financing. The government is also exploring public-private partnerships to upgrade power and port infrastructure—investments that private manufacturers have long said are prerequisite for competitiveness.

Regional implications extend beyond Nigeria’s borders. If successful, a scaled-up Nigerian manufacturing base could supply West African markets and strengthen intra-African value chains, easing import dependence across the region. Conversely, missteps—such as prolonged currency restrictions or opaque import controls—could dissuade international investors who have alternate hubs to choose from.

For now, the government plans to establish a joint public-private task force to convert policy pledges into executable projects and to monitor progress quarterly. Whether those plans translate into new factories and jobs will depend on how quickly the state can address structural bottlenecks and how willing private investors are to commit capital amid global economic uncertainty. The outcome will shape not only Nigeria’s economic recovery but its diplomatic and trade posture across the continent.