The Federal Government has announced significant progress in the implementation of the Nigeria Industrial Policy (NIP) 2025, recording over $380 million in strategic financing commitments within its first 90 days and advancing key initiatives aimed at boosting local manufacturing, exports, skills development and industrial infrastructure.

A 90-day progress report released by the Office of the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, stated that the policy has moved beyond its launch phase into active implementation, with measurable interventions underway across its eight strategic pillars.

The report revealed that, alongside securing more than $380 million in financing commitments, the ministry has advanced plans for a proposed N350 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Fund. It has also activated five quick-win industrial programmes in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI).

The ministry stated that the early milestones underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging industrialisation as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, investment attraction and value retention within the economy.

Speaking on the progress achieved so far, Enoh said: “The Nigeria Industrial Policy is not intended to remain a document on the shelf. It is a delivery instrument for productivity, competitiveness, investment, job creation and national value retention.

“In the first 90 days, we have focused on building the foundations required for implementation: financing, partnerships, value-chain activation, skills, infrastructure and accountability.”

A key area of focus during the implementation phase has been the promotion of local content and domestic production through the Federal Government’s Nigeria First Policy.

The ministry disclosed that it has commenced stakeholder engagements with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Association of Local Automotive Manufacturers, and stakeholders in the cotton, textile and garment value chains.

According to the ministry, the engagements are aimed at strengthening patronage of locally manufactured goods, deepening domestic value addition and ensuring compliance with local procurement policies across government institutions.

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The Nigeria Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA) has renewed its call for stronger government measures to protect the country’s textile industry from excessive imports, smuggling and unfair foreign competition.

Speaking on a programme on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Director-General of NTMA, Dr. Hamma Ali Kwajaffa, said the association has consistently advocated decisive trade policies, including restrictions on textile imports, rather than marginal tariff increases that offer little protection to local manufacturers.

His position aligns with recent resolutions by the Senate, which urged the Federal Government to impose a total ban on textile imports, enforce local content requirements and increase funding for the Bank of Industry (BoI) to support domestic production.

Kwajaffa lamented that unchecked importation, dumping of foreign products and widespread smuggling have devastated Nigeria’s textile sector, leading to the closure of many textile mills and significant job losses.

According to him, NTMA supports comprehensive policy interventions aimed at reviving the industry and restoring its competitiveness. He stressed that stricter border controls and effective enforcement of trade regulations are essential to curb the influx of cheap imported fabrics that undermine local producers.

However, he noted that import restrictions alone would not be sufficient to revive the sector. He identified several structural challenges that continue to hinder local manufacturers, including inadequate raw material supply, high production costs, poor infrastructure and insecurity.

“The collapse of local cotton production has left manufacturers struggling to source inputs,” he said, adding that government incentives, improved agricultural extension services and support for cotton farmers are critical to rebuilding the industry’s value chain.

Kwajaffa also highlighted the difficulty that manufacturers face in accessing affordable locally produced polyester, as well as the burden of high energy costs despite Nigeria’s status as a major crude oil producer.

He further noted that insecurity in farming communities has limited the ability of extension workers to support farmers, negatively affecting cotton yields and raw material availability for the textile industry.

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By Efe Onodjae

Importers and clearing agents have raised concerns over mounting demurrage costs at Nigerian seaports, blaming delays linked to the National Single Window (NSW) platform for prolonged cargo clearance processes.

The National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, Lucky Amiwero, along with other customs agents, alleged that some importers now pay as much as N100,000 daily in demurrage to shipping companies and terminal operators while awaiting approvals from regulatory agencies.

Speaking with Vanguard, Amiwero described the platform as ineffective, arguing that it has complicated rather than streamlined port operations.

According to him, delays in obtaining approvals from agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have worsened congestion and increased the cost of doing business.

He argued that the current structure of the National Single Window falls short of the globally accepted model of a true single-window platform.

“The National Single Window is not effective. What we have now is more of a multiple-window system that duplicates Customs functions,” he said.

“A proper single window should involve single administration, single transaction, and single delivery. Once processes are harmonised at the backend, cargo clearance should be seamless.

“But importers are still required to interact separately with agencies like NAFDAC and SON. That defeats the purpose of a single-window system.”

Amiwero further alleged that the Nigerian Revenue Service, which is driving the initiative, lacks the expertise required for customs and import procedures, insisting that tax administration and customs operations should remain separate.

According to him, consignments are often trapped at terminals for weeks due to delays in approvals and documentation processing, leading to huge financial losses for importers.

“Some importers are paying close to N100,000 daily in demurrage because their cargoes remain uncleared for two or three weeks. Government needs to review the system and properly harmonise the process,” he added.

Responding to the allegations, the Director of Communications for NSW, Tola Fakolade, said criticisms of the platform largely stem from resistance to stricter compliance procedures introduced under the system.

He clarified that the first phase of the initiative was never designed to guarantee one-day approvals for all regulatory processes.

“What we promised was a unified entry point where importers and stakeholders can process documentation seamlessly without moving from one agency office to another,” he said.

Fakolade acknowledged existing implementation challenges, particularly inherited backlogs within some agencies, but noted that efforts were ongoing to resolve them.

“For NAFDAC specifically, there was already a backlog before the National Single Window went live, and that accounts for some of the delays currently being experienced. However, the agency is working to clear the pending applications,” he added.

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