President Tinubu to Nigerians: Judge Me By the Factories I Build, Jobs Created

Eshioromeh Sebastian in Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to hold his administration accountable for tangible outcomes—specifically, the number of factories established and jobs generated—rather than the volume of policy documents produced.

The President made this declaration on Tuesday during the official launch of the Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu unveiled the comprehensive roadmap designed to re-engineer the nation’s industrial base and unlock value across multiple sectors.

In an address to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), the President demanded speedy and effective implementation of the policy, acknowledging that while policies are often well-conceived, failure typically occurs at the execution stage.

“The defining strength of this policy is its insistence on implementation. This administration will not measure success by the number of documents we produce,” President Tinubu stated.

“We will measure success by the number of factories that open their gates at dawn, by the jobs created for our young men and women, by the exports that leave our ports bearing the mark of Nigerian excellence, and by the value retained within our own economy.”

The President lamented that for too long, Nigeria has grappled with fragmented value chains, high production costs, infrastructure deficits, and policy inconsistency. However, he declared that “this stops now,” emphasizing that the new policy serves as an acknowledgment of past deficiencies and a commitment to corrective action.

The Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 prioritizes strategic sector focus based on the nation’s comparative advantages, aims to transition the country from raw material export to finished goods production, and integrates micro, small, and medium enterprises into the heart of industrial growth.

President Tinubu called for robust private sector participation, urging investors to partner with the government in building a productive economy by deepening local value chains and transferring skills.

The event also featured remarks from business mogul and Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who commended the administration for introducing a progressive industrial policy. Dangote expressed confidence in the nation’s economic trajectory, predicting that “the naira, this year, will be at ₦1,000 to $100,” citing foreign exchange stability and ongoing reforms. He, however, stressed the critical need for protecting indigenous industries to ensure their survival and growth.

United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Malick Fall, described the policy launch as a significant step toward inclusive economic growth, transforming hope into action. Similarly, the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otunba Francis Meshioye, assured the government of the association’s full support for the policy’s effective implementation.

President Tinubu commended the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, for his disciplined leadership in driving the policy process, as well as the technical teams and industry stakeholders whose insights shaped the final document.