The federal government says Nigeria must prioritise industrialisation and a dependable energy supply to stop exporting raw materials and strengthen local value chains.
Minister of State for Industry John Enoh stated this at the Industrial Revolution Work-Group Premier Ministerial Roundtable on Energy, Security, and Industrial Infrastructure on Wednesday in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme “Beyond Power: Building the Backbone of the Industry—Energy, Infrastructure, and Sovereignty in Action,” Mr Enoh described industrialisation as an economic imperative.
He also stressed the need to boost productivity through value addition and processing.
Mr Enoh said the programme aimed to ensure Nigeria became more productive by reducing raw material exports and enhancing economic management.
He added that discussions within the Industrial Revolution Workgroup had identified energy security and weak industrial infrastructure as major barriers to growth.
Mr Enoh said the roundtable series would begin by tackling power supply issues in industrial clusters, noting that energy was central to industrial development.
Strengthening clusters, he said, remained the most practical way to deliver energy and infrastructure efficiently.
While acknowledging the importance of the national grid, Mr Enoh said alternative energy sources must complement it.
He explained that blended power, gas, solar, and other sources were needed, especially where grid supply was unreliable.
Mr Enoh said the forum was designed to produce actionable solutions, including identifying priority industrial clusters and the quickest ways to supply them with power.
He also cited obstacles such as right-of-way delays affecting transmission projects and called for faster implementation.
The minister added that consensus had been reached on the need for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Power and the industrial sector to tackle challenges systematically, cluster by cluster.
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu said economic growth depended on a vibrant industrial sector powered by reliable, affordable electricity.
He noted that ongoing reforms in legislation, policy, and infrastructure had improved grid stability and boosted generation and consumption.
Mr Adelabu said the government was strengthening transmission, distribution, regulation, and investment to ensure a sustainable electricity supply and reduce grid disturbances nationwide.
President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Francis Meshioye, said the roundtable addressed critical issues, including alternative power sources to ensure an independent and reliable electricity supply for industries.
He said discussions covered options such as independent power and dual international connections, guided by cost-benefit analysis.
Mr Meshioye expressed confidence that practical power solutions for industrial clusters would emerge in the coming months.
(NAN)