The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing local production and reducing import dependence through trade policies that promote industrial growth and improve export competitiveness.
Speaking at the 2025 Renewed Hope Global Virtual Town Hall Conference, Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Sen. John Enoh, stressed the need for balanced trade policies that prioritise domestic manufacturing while effectively managing imports.
Enoh highlighted concerns over Nigeria’s continued reliance on imports, stating that the key challenge lies in insufficient local production rather than the volume of imports.
To address this, the government is implementing policies that encourage local manufacturing, industrial growth, and export expansion.
Enoh noted that the government has been deliberate in promoting domestic productivity by offering various incentives to manufacturers and industrialists.
“Since assuming office, I have approved countless import duty exemption certificates to industries to support local production.
There are programmes such as backward integration policies aimed at boosting local capacity in key industries, including manufacturing and agriculture,” he said.
Backward integration policies encourage companies to source raw materials locally, reducing dependency on imports while developing homegrown industries.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring Nigeria remains competitive in global trade.
He stated that at the end of each fiscal period, the government evaluates the trade balance to inform future economic policies.
Enoh assured stakeholders that policy measures will continue to be implemented to create an enabling environment for businesses, improve industrial output, and enhance Nigeria’s position in the international market.
