The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to generate 4.4 million jobs by implementing Nigeria’s National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Material and Product Development.
The announcement was made by Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, at the National Consultative Committee on Global Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Product Development conference held in Abuja on Thursday.
According to a statement released on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the new strategy is designed to boost employment and increase local content in manufacturing. This, in turn, aims to enhance the global competitiveness of Nigerian raw materials, products, and services.
Minister Nnaji highlighted that the strategy’s implementation will not only create significant job opportunities but also support Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts. “Through the National Strategy, we aim to boost local content in manufacturing to 50% and 80% respectively, which will facilitate the global acceptance of made-in-Nigeria raw materials, products, and services,” Nnaji said. “This will ensure Nigeria’s competitiveness on the international stage.”
The Minister stressed the importance of global competitiveness in producing goods and services that meet international standards. He underscored that leveraging innovation, science, and technology is crucial for achieving these goals.
The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, represented by Mrs. Salamatu Mohammed, described the conference as a vital platform for discussing the National Strategy. She emphasized the alignment of the strategy with the country’s development priorities.
Prof. Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso, Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, welcomed participants and highlighted that the successful implementation of the strategy would significantly reduce the importation of raw materials. He noted that the technical workshop would address important issues, including competitiveness, advocacy, and the commercialization of research and development breakthroughs.
Dr. Henry Emejo from the Organized Private Sector called on stakeholders and Nigerians to collaborate for the country’s socio-economic advancement. Sir Henry Eteama, Project Manager of SITU, emphasized the need for clearly defined roles among stakeholders in policy-making, legal frameworks, and research and development outputs. He urged collective effort and commitment to ensure the project’s success and the nation’s objectives.
