The Federal Government has restated its commitment to strengthening support for local manufacturers and creators as part of efforts to drive economic growth and reduce dependence on imports.
Vice President Kashim Shettima gave the assurance at the Made in Naija Trade Exhibition organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Commerce. Represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, the Vice President said Nigeria’s global relevance will increasingly be shaped by what the country produces.
He noted that the nation’s future is anchored on the creativity, innovation and enterprise of its people.
“There is nothing that advertises the pride of a nation as much as the craft, creativity and conceptions of its people,” Shettima said. “They do more than signal the capability of the people. They serve as a fertilizer of the economy, nourishing every sector and giving life to dreams yet to be imagined.”
Shettima stressed that Nigeria’s true wealth lies not in its natural resources but in the value citizens are able to derive from them.
He highlighted the ingenuity already displayed across sectors such as agro-processing, textiles, architecture, technology, manufacturing and music.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu considers local producers and innovators as “essential partners in national renewal.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, also reaffirmed the National Assembly’s full backing for policies that promote Nigerian-made goods.
He said the country must shift from its import-dependent model to one driven by value addition, domestic production and inclusive growth—particularly as Nigeria seeks to maximise opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Tajudeen described the initiative as a timely push toward industrial expansion and economic self-reliance.Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, Ahmed Munir, said Nigeria stands on the verge of an industrial rebirth powered by local manufacturing, innovation and robust legislative support.
He added that the country’s focus on local content could generate more than five million jobs by 2030, moving young Nigerians from unemployment into factories, workshops and innovation hubs nationwide.
Reporting by Tanimu Salihu