The federal government on Thursday inaugurated the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority and the Nigeria Export Processing Zone governing boards to drive industrial development and achieve double-digit economic growth by 2030.
Trade minister Jumoke Oduwole, while inaugurating the boards in Abuja, said the success of the inauguration would be measured by investments attracted.
Ms Oduwole also said that the inauguration should attract job creation, deliver projects, and increase export value. She urged the board to ensure discipline, innovation, and effective implementation, while closing gaps and ensuring that the government-granted incentives delivered measurable economic value.
She said OGFZA’s mandate included licensing and regulation, infrastructure provision, stakeholder coordination, customs and security frameworks, and the resolution of labour and commercial disputes within free zones.
The minister acknowledged challenges such as infrastructure deficits, security concerns, and coordination issues, but assured that they were being addressed through deliberate government action.
Deputy trade minister John Enoh said that the inauguration was a renewed commitment to Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
Mr Enoh said the board’s constitution fulfilled statutory requirements and aligned with current economic priorities focused on productivity, value creation and export-led growth.
He noted that Nigeria’s National Industrial Policy signalled urgency in translating policies into measurable economic performance and strengthening global competitiveness.
According to him, free trade zones are designed to attract investments, boost industrialisation and promote export growth through value addition.
OGFZA’s governing board chair, Lydia Kalat Musa, thanked the president for the appointment and pledged to reposition the authority for improved investor confidence.
Ms Musa said the board would prioritise accountability, excellence and collaboration with stakeholders to enhance national development and investment outcomes.
She described the board’s appointment as a call to service aimed at strengthening governance, improving implementation and delivering measurable economic outcomes.
According to her, NEPZA currently oversees several zones that host hundreds of enterprises, generating thousands of jobs and attracting significant local and foreign investment.
The newly inaugurated chairman of NEPZA, Tijjani Kaura, thanked the ministers for the opportunity to serve and pledged alignment with government policies.
He promised that the board would work closely with the ministry and NEPZA management to achieve shared objectives and promote cooperation rather than conflict.
Other board members include Ikechukwu Onyemekara, Hussaini Magaji, Frank Onyebu, Jani Ibrahim, Etido Usoroh, Augustine Kalu, Joseph Yilwa, George Nwangwu, Adie Emmanuel, Joy Edelduok, Fatogun Temitope, Vivian Richard-Edet, Musa Nakorji, among others.
(NAN)