Kemi Ajumobi 
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole MFR, is the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Prior to her current role, she served as the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Investment (OVP) from October 2023 to October 2024. Under the Buhari Administration, she served first as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade, and Investment, and subsequently as the Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business from November 2015 to May 2023. Dr. Oduwole and her team at the PEBEC Secretariat successfully delivered over 200 verifiable reforms across various arms and levels of government.
During her time in public service, Dr Oduwole has worked on various specialised reform committees in the federal government such as AfCFTA implementation Committee and the Tax Policy Reform Committee, and played a key role in the conceptualisation and establishment of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN). She Chaired the Technical Working Team on Legislative Imperatives for the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2025.
Recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading reformers, she was awarded the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in May 2023 for her contributions to national development. In 2024, the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) awarded her a “Hall of Fame” honour for her decade-long work on Nigeria’s business climate reforms.
A policy entrepreneur of some repute, she was appointed as a Senior fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Centre for Business and Government (M-RCBG), Harvard Kennedy School, and as a Governance Advisor to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Governance Lab in 2022, for her innovation in governance.
She previously served on the Board of Ecobank Nigeria, and she has worked in investment and corporate banking at FCMB and GTBank.
Since 2015, Dr Oduwole has been on loan to the Federal Government of Nigeria from the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Nigeria, where she teaches and researches International Economic Law. Jumoke holds an LL.B from the University of Lagos, an LL.M from Cambridge University, UK and a JSM and JSD from Stanford Law School USA, and is called to the Nigerian Bar.
What is your vision for growing the Nigerian economy and how do you plan to achieve this vision?
Over the past two years, Nigeria has undergone bold economic reforms aimed at stabilising the foundations of its economy. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has taken decisive action on critical fronts. On the monetary side, measures to address foreign exchange volatility, improve repatriation flows, and ensure greater availability of FX have begun to restore investor confidence. On the fiscal side, the removal of fuel subsidies and the rollout of a revolutionary new tax architecture — with the latest Tax Acts coming into force on January 1, 2026 — signal a commitment to building a sustainable, rules-based economy.
Yet, every strong economy rests on a tripod. Monetary stability and fiscal sustainability form the first two legs. The third, equally critical leg, is trade policy. With the foundations of stability now in place, Nigeria is well-positioned as we advance through the next phase of growth — by harnessing trade, attracting both domestic and foreign investment, and supporting industry – key engines of shared economic prosperity.”
“During the recent state visit of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, she commended President Tinubu on Nigeria’s reforms and economic progress, while emphasising the central role that trade plays in unlocking sustainable growth. Last November, Mr President Tinubu appointed me as Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (HMITI) and charged me with this critical responsibility.
At FMITI, the vision is ambitious and clear: to diversify Nigeria’s economy, strengthen industrial capacity, expand non-oil exports, and position Nigerian businesses to compete effectively in regional and global markets. This means modernising trade policies, upgrading critical institutions like the Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX), expanding Special Economic Zones, including Digital Zones, and accelerating digital trade adoption. The Ministry has been instrumental in accelerating the rollout of the National Single Window project, a significant milestone in removing long-standing bottlenecks and making trade more straightforward and affordable for Nigerian businesses.
The impact of these efforts must be felt not only in macroeconomic numbers but in the daily lives of Nigerians. For farmers and exporters, it means finding reliable buyers across Africa and beyond. For entrepreneurs, this means scaling their businesses more quickly with fewer bottlenecks. For young graduates, it means jobs in factories, tech hubs, and export-oriented industries. For global investors, it means seeing Nigeria as a trusted, competitive destination once again.
This is the next phase of Nigeria’s economic renewal — moving from stability to growth. And it is through bold trade and industrial strategies that we will deliver on the promise of the Renewed Hope Agenda, proving that the Nigerian economy can be diversified, our industries revitalised, and our people empowered.
Tell us about FMITI – What is its mandate and how does it function?
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment (FMITI) is charged with the mandate of diversifying Nigeria’s economy, accelerating industrial development, boosting non-oil exports, and strengthening our role in global and regional trade.
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point Renewed Hope Agenda, item seven specifically tasks us with driving economic diversification and non-oil export growth. Everything we do is anchored on this national priority — from trade facilitation and industrialisation to investment promotion and enterprise development.
I am privileged to lead a highly competent and diverse team comprising seasoned professionals with strong technical expertise. I am especially proud of the fact that we have a heavily female leadership team, complemented by dynamic younger professionals, including some who worked with me on the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). Together, we bring both experience and fresh energy to the work of reform.
At the core of our structure are the Honourable Minister of State, Senator John Owan Enoh, who is leading and driving Nigeria’s industrial policy and vision for Industry, and the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, a seasoned diplomat with many years of experience, with whom I work very closely. FMITI oversees 17 agencies, including the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian Export-Import Bank NEXIM, NCX, both the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and OGFZA, TBSMB, Lagos Trade Fair Complex, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), SMEDAN, BOI, and more…Through these agencies, we implement policies generated by our core internal departments. We are enablers of growth. FMITI’s departments work across trade facilitation, investment promotion, industrial development, consumer protection, and export market access.
FMITI delivers major national frameworks, and our work is externally tracked every quarter for tangible progress by the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) under the Presidency.
Collaboration is central to our mandate. We are working closely with the Federal Ministry of Finance on tariff reviews and policy directions, and with the Central Bank of Nigeria on investment and trade-related alignment. Because of the scope of our work, we also interface directly with the Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice regularly.
From an implementation perspective, we are currently actively collaborating with:
- Ministry of Agriculture – to expand export market access for agricultural goods.
- Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy – on digital trade and WEF Talent Acceleration Programme
- Ministry of Creative Economy – on intellectual property policy.
- Ministry of Health – on investment into pharmaceutical value chains (PVAC).
- Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Ministry of Steel Development, Ministries of Women’s Affairs, Youth, Education, National Sports Commission, and the FCT Administration – to align policy and investor readiness with sectoral priorities.
We also work closely with State Governments and the National Assembly, continuing the engagement model I established during my PEBEC days. For example, Lagos State is already a key partner as we prepare to host CANEX 2026 and IATF 2027 — a landmark African Trade Fair, being hosted in West Africa for the first time. Similarly, we are collaborating with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, members of our AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee, and have launched the Investopedia Report at IATF 2025 in Algiers and will present it again at the UN General Assembly to further drive Nigeria’s investment story.
FMITI functions as the engine room of economic diversification, coordinating across government and with the private sector to ensure Nigeria’s trade, industrial, and investment policies translate into real opportunities for businesses, jobs for our people, and confidence for investors.
As we approach Q4 walk us through the first 9 months of the year and what can we expect from you as you close out this year?
At the start of 2025, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) released an Outlook Document setting out our priorities for the year. These included:
- Accelerating non-oil exports through reforms and export incentives.
- Driving industrialisation via Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and value-chain development.
- Modernising trade policy and export facilitation
- Strengthening investment promotion, both domestic and foreign.
- Expanding Nigeria’s presence in regional and global trade platforms.
- Deepening collaboration with the private sector and development partners.
Many of these priorities are already translating into results. WTO and ITC, under the leadership of NEPC, launched the WEIDE Fund, supporting 146 women exporters out of 67,000 applicants; we initiated reforms to upgrade the Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX); and rolled out a structured review of Free Trade Zones to improve governance and competitiveness.
When I assumed office, I set out four strategic pillars for the year. Let me break these down with highlights:
Investment Mobilisation: At home, we launched targeted programmes with domestic champions — the best examples of Nigeria’s success — highlighted at our first Domestic Investor Summit, reaffirming President Tinubu’s ‘Nigeria First’ policy.
- We have also worked to attract investment at home and abroad. At Davos, in Paris, in Abu Dhabi, and in New York, I engaged global investors, development banks, and CEOs. We co-hosted the Brazil–Nigeria Business Forum alongside Brazil’s Vice President, securing commitments in agribusiness and energy.
Trade Policy Reform: Nigeria became the first African country to complete its 5-year AfCFTA implementation review, producing actionable recommendations. We also co-championed the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, positioning Nigeria at the heart of Africa’s digital economy.
Non-Oil Export Acceleration: Our SEZs generated over USD 192 million in exports and 20,000 jobs. With Uganda Airlines, we launched Africa’s first AfCFTA Air Cargo Corridor, slashing logistics costs by over 50% for SMEs exporting textiles, cosmetics, and agro-processed goods to southern and eastern Africa.
Strategic Communications: Shaping the global narrative of Nigeria’s economy has been a priority — consistently amplifying President Tinubu’s vision and Nigeria’s investment story across traditional and digital media as part of our advocacy efforts.
Concentric Circles of Engagement
We have structured our diplomacy into concentric circles:
Bilateral: Signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty with Brazil, expanded cooperation with Benin and Colombia, and hosted numerous ministerial delegations.
ECOWAS: During President Tinubu’s tenure as ECOWAS Chair, Nigeria advanced the West Africa Economic Strategy (WAES).
Africa: At AfCFTA summits in Lusaka and Algiers, Nigeria pushed for digital trade, fair tariffs, and stronger market access for African SMEs.
Global South & OECD: From Addis to London, Kinshasa to New York, we deepened ties with both long-standing partners (EU, OECD, WTO) and new friends (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Brazil).
These engagements matter because they deliver tangible outcomes for Nigerians — from expanded markets for farmers and SMEs to renewed investor confidence in manufacturing, to new job opportunities for young graduates.
Partnerships and Agencies
Our work is possible because of collaboration:
In collaboration with UNDP, Afreximbank, AFC, Access Bank, and the World Bank, we are developing tools such as the market intelligence portal for exporters.
With the Organised Private Sector — NACCIMA, MAN, OPTS — we are designing policies that reflect business realities.
Through our 17 agencies — including NEXIM, CAC, NEPC, NIPC, SON, NEPZA, and NCX — we are delivering reforms, from investment promotion to standards to SEZ governance.
Looking Ahead
As we close the year, we will focus on consolidating these gains: finalising key reforms in SEZs and NCX, expanding the air cargo corridor model to other routes, and deepening AfCFTA-driven market access. Nigerians can expect continued delivery — on trade, industry, and investment — and the acceleration of the Renewed Hope Agenda into 2026.
How has it been as a woman in this area of government and politics – Challenges and Lessons learnt
Managing a ministry entails a significant expansion of responsibilities beyond those of PEBEC and being a Special Adviser in the Presidency. The ministry is a large one, with nearly 2,000 staff – 1,100 in Abuja and 800 across the country.
Diligence and striving for excellence are a given. It takes a lot of personal sacrifice to stay focused and deliver. There’s always so much to do and very little time. Nigerians are rightly impatient for faster economic growth.
Humility and collaboration are critical to succeed. Being open and willing to learn, paying close attention to relationships and building crucial networks, taking objective feedback, recognising one’s mistakes and blind spots, and learning from them – as they say, “failing forward” is key. Working with the HMS and PS, striving to cover our respective duties and ensure our Directors, Agency heads, and staff are on top of their deliverables. Leveraging support tools within the government, such as the CDCU team, fortnightly top management meetings with directors and department heads, and quarterly meetings with heads of agencies, has helped FMITI’s coordination.
As an international economic lawyer and having worked in the Presidency for nine years, building PEBEC from scratch into a national intervention of international repute has given me a significant advantage, as I have worked closely with Ministers, Governors, and Legislators for many years. I also understand the administrative workings of the government, and I already have relationships with colleagues across all arms and levels of government nationwide.
What initiatives does the ministry have in place to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are critical for job creation and economic growth?
At the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, we have prioritised SME support through policies, programmes, and partnerships designed to unlock their full potential.
Through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), we are improving access to finance, capacity-building, and shared infrastructure. In fact, in Q1 2025 alone, SMEDAN generated over 90,000 jobs through its six industrial development centres, a clear demonstration of how targeted interventions can deliver real impact on the ground..
In addition, the NEPC has launched WEIDE (Women, Youth, Innovation, Digital and Export) Nigeria, a $2 billion initiative that expands opportunities for women- and youth-led enterprises. WEIDE focuses on digital adoption, export readiness, and value addition, ensuring that SMEs can participate in global supply chains while creating jobs at home.
Together, these initiatives are creating a more enabling ecosystem — one where Nigerian SMEs can innovate, expand, and compete regionally and globally. Supporting SMEs is not just about economic growth; it is about building prosperity from the ground up.
What measures are being taken to promote local content in manufacturing and production to boost domestic industries?
At the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, promoting local content in manufacturing is at the heart of our industrialisation strategy. Our goal is clear: strengthen domestic industries, create jobs, and reduce dependence on imports while building globally competitive value chains.
Nigeria’s economic transformation must be built on a foundation of domestic strength. Our most significant asset lies in our entrepreneurs — the innovators and builders creating jobs, driving industrialisation, and powering growth across technology, agribusiness, and the creative economy. The National Industrial Summit held in June underscored this truth: Nigeria’s path to prosperity will be defined by how well we support our local industries.
This is why the Nigeria First Policy directs government procurement and investment strategies toward prioritising local content and domestic value creation. By equipping entrepreneurs with access to finance, supportive regulation, modern infrastructure, and skills development, we are ensuring that the wealth of this nation is built by Nigerians, for Nigerians.
The momentum is already underway. We hosted a Domestic Investment Summit in Abuja, where the conversation focused on three urgent priorities: demystifying reforms in fiscal, monetary, industry, and trade policy so that businesses can navigate with confidence, tackling the capital gap through innovative financing and institutional collaboration, and expanding market access to enable Nigerian firms to scale and compete across Africa under the AfCFTA.
Today, we have a live and operational NASENI (National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure), which is investing in indigenous R&D, technology transfer, and engineering capacity to strengthen local production capabilities. Meanwhile, projects such as ARISE and the expansion of special economic zones are building cluster-based manufacturing hubs that anchor production locally while connecting Nigerian industries to regional and global markets. Together, these measures are channeling Nigeria’s entrepreneurial strength into a new era of industrialisation, competitiveness, and inclusive growth.
Yet, while domestic strength is the cornerstone, openness is the bridge. Nigeria is pursuing an open, rules-based economy that welcomes investment, strengthens partnerships, and builds value chains linking local talent to global markets.
The message is clear: Nigeria’s growth story begins at home, but its impact will be felt across Africa and the world.
How is the ministry addressing the skills gap in the workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly changing industrial landscape?
The Ministry has already commenced a comprehensive skills gap analysis to better align our workforce with the demands of the fourth industrial revolution. Early findings are striking—90% of Nigerian organisations identify AI, big data, and immersive technologies as the leading disruptors shaping industry-required skills. Nigeria must rapidly develop a digitally skilled, resilient, and future-ready workforce.
While we have a large and youthful talent pool—over 80% of our population is within working age—the education statistics are sobering. Only 47.2% of Nigerians have completed secondary education, and fewer than 24% hold a university degree or diploma. Unless we address this mismatch, the risk of widespread unemployability within our growing population is significant.
Our skills gap analysis will culminate in an action plan that brings together skills providers across the ecosystem—universities, vocational training centres, and EdTech platforms—to deliver training and certifications that meet globally benchmarked standards while responding to the specific needs of local industry.
Notably, this plan will not be implemented in isolation. We are committed to working hand-in-hand with the private sector, regulators, and other relevant ministries to ensure coherence, industry relevance, and sustainability. The ultimate goal is to transform Nigeria’s demographic advantage into a skills advantage—one that powers industrial growth, competitiveness, and inclusive prosperity.
Can you discuss the role of technology in facilitating business reforms in Nigeria?
Technology has become the backbone of Nigeria’s business reforms, creating a more transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly environment. Our goal is to enhance systems for entrepreneurs, reduce costs for investors, and enhance accountability across the government.
A step in this journey was the February 2025 MoU between the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment (FMITI). This partnership will digitise the Ministry’s operations, implement an enterprise content management system, and train public servants to deliver faster, more innovative services. It is a concrete example of how strategic collaboration can unlock Nigeria’s trade and investment potential while supporting wider economic growth.
We are also seeing practical results on the ground. The Corporate Affairs Commission portal now allows businesses to register entirely online. The Single Window Trade Portal is streamlining customs, while the electronic tax systems are modernising revenue collection. These reforms not only improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business rankings but also build investor confidence.
Beyond governance, Nigeria is shaping the future of digital trade. As the AfCFTA Digital Trade Champion, we are leading continental work on e-commerce, digital payments, and data flows, ensuring African businesses — especially SMEs and startups — are not left behind in the global digital economy.
Ultimately, technology is not just supporting reform — it is transforming how Nigeria does business. From fintech to health tech and clean energy, digital innovation is connecting citizens to opportunities and positioning Nigeria to compete globally while building a more inclusive and resilient economy.
How has Nigeria’s approach to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) evolved since its implementation?
Nigeria views the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) not just as a trade agreement but as Africa’s most powerful lever for inclusive growth and global competitiveness. By transforming a collection of fragmented markets into a single trade bloc of 1.4 billion people, the AfCFTA offers unprecedented opportunities for our entrepreneurs and exporters.
Since its implementation, Nigeria has accelerated its engagement. We completed our AfCFTA 5-Year Implementation Review, transmitted the ECOWAS Provisional Tariff Schedule to the Secretariat, and are embedding AfCFTA commitments into our National Industrial Policy. Importantly, Nigeria was selected as the continent’s AfCFTA Digital Trade Champion, positioning us to shape continental protocols on e-commerce, digital payments, and cross-border data flows. This ensures Nigerian businesses—especially SMEs and startups—can thrive in the emerging digital economy.
But the AfCFTA is more than tariff cuts. It is about scaling intra-African trade, strengthening Africa’s bargaining power in global trade governance, and building resilient supply chains in key sectors such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and green energy. For Nigeria, this means establishing regional production hubs that reduce import dependence and create local employment opportunities.
At the same time, we must address real challenges: inadequate infrastructure and trade facilitation systems, limited private sector inclusion—especially for SMEs and women-led businesses—and the slow pace of harmonising standards across member states. This is why Nigeria is prioritising customs modernisation, simplified trade regimes, and regulatory coherence while actively engaging the private sector to identify priority export sectors.
Our vision is clear: Made in Africa, traded across Africa, and respected around the world. For that to happen, implementation must match ambition. Nigeria is committed to ensuring that the AfCFTA delivers tangible benefits for both our businesses and citizens.
What strategies do you believe are essential for attracting foreign direct investment into Nigeria in the current global economic climate?
Attracting foreign direct investment in today’s global economy requires clarity, predictability, and a compelling value proposition. Nigeria is meeting this challenge with a deliberate strategy built on reducing friction, maximising returns, and ensuring policy consistency.
Traditionally, one of our strongest pillars has the pioneer status Incentive through NIPC, which grants up to five years of corporate tax holidays to companies in high-growth sectors such as renewable energy, mineral processing, infrastructure, and creative industries. We also have about 42 Special Economic and free trade zones, including Africa’s first digital free zone at Itana, located in Alaro City, Lagos. These platforms offer tax exemptions, duty-free import of inputs, one-stop approvals, and 100% profit repatriation — the same tools that have enabled Dangote and Indorama to scale their businesses from Nigeria to regional and global markets.
Investor protection is reinforced by over 30 bilateral investment treaties and the NIPC Act, which guarantees free repatriation of returns. Market access is equally attractive: Nigerian products enjoy preferential entry under AfCFTA and ECOWAS ETLS, as well as duty-free access to thousands of products under the UK Developing Country Trading Scheme. Sector-specific incentives further lower the barriers to entry — from special agro-industrial processing zones in agriculture, to VAT waivers for renewables under the Electricity Act 2023, to tariff exemptions for pharmaceutical equipment, backward integration incentives in manufacturing, and Startup Act provisions driving innovation in the digital economy.
Of course, we must acknowledge that FDI has historically been below 2% of GDP in recent years, reflecting infrastructure gaps, regulatory complexity, and foreign exchange volatility that made some investors cautious. But the picture is shifting positively. Thanks to reforms introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, investor confidence is rebounding. In Q1 2025, total foreign investment rose sharply by 67% to $5.6 billion compared to the same period in 2024. While portfolio inflows accounted for the majority, FDI still reached around $126 million, and we are laying the foundation for much larger flows in the near future.
Our domestic champions are already leading the way. The Dangote Group’s $20 billion refinery and petrochemical complex, alongside major expansions by BUA, AGI, and others, are reshaping our industrial base, reducing import dependency, and creating new value chains. These projects show what’s possible when capital, policy, and opportunity align.
Looking ahead, as inflation moderates and interest rates ease, we expect FDI inflows to accelerate. Importantly, the President has already unlocked around $50 billion in signed MOUs and investment interest since 2023, with roughly half — about $25 billion — expected to crystallise as FDI over the next few years in agriculture, energy, and industrial infrastructure. Our focus now is on facilitating these commitments, clearing bottlenecks, and ensuring that investors experience Nigeria as a de-risked, rules-based environment with unparalleled opportunities for growth and scale.
In short, this is not just about opening doors — it is about building bridges between capital and opportunity. Now is the time to bet on Nigeria.
In your opinion, what are the major obstacles facing Nigerian businesses in the international market, and how can they be addressed?
Nigerian entrepreneurs have consistently demonstrated their capacity to compete on the global stage, excelling in sectors ranging from agribusiness and fintech to the creative industries. However, systemic barriers continue to limit their access to international markets. If we are to build a truly competitive export economy under AfCFTA and beyond, these constraints must be addressed with focus and urgency.
One of the most pressing challenges lies in regulatory fragmentation and outdated processes. Today, exporters often navigate multiple ministries, departments, and agencies with limited integration and inconsistent requirements. This results in confusion, costly delays, and inefficiencies—from congested ports and mounting demurrage charges to inland transport bottlenecks and reliance on paper-based systems that increase the risk of errors.
To tackle this, the Federal Government is implementing a National Single Window (NSW) for Trade, a transformative digital platform scheduled to go live in Q1 2026. The NSW will integrate all trade-related documentation into a single streamlined process. By harmonising requirements, automating approvals, and eliminating duplication, it will reduce costs, cut delays, and strengthen Nigeria’s credibility as a trading nation.
Another area requiring attention is compliance with international standards, particularly in agriculture. Nigerian products—such as sesame and cocoa—are in high demand globally, yet weak sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance and inadequate quality assurance systems have, at times, led to border rejections that undermine farmer incomes and Nigeria’s reputation. With the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) now in force, crops like cocoa face even stricter sustainability and traceability requirements.
We are responding decisively by investing in quality infrastructure and standards alignment. For example, the sesame value chain intervention supported by Japan has shown how targeted support can improve farmer practices and reduce rejection rates. Building on such successes, Nigeria is working to align its cocoa and other tree crop sectors with EUDR requirements to safeguard and expand market access.
At the Ministry, our commitment is clear: to create an enabling environment where Nigerian businesses can thrive. Entrepreneurs bring resilience, innovation, and ambition; our role is to dismantle bureaucratic bottlenecks and build systems that foster efficiency, confidence, and competitiveness. With reforms such as the National Single Window and strengthened SPS compliance, we are laying the foundation for Nigeria’s full export potential to be realized
What are your priorities as the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, and what vision do you have for the ministry?
When I think about Nigeria’s economic levers, I see three wheels that must work in sync: fiscal policy, monetary policy, and trade. Trade and industry are where policies translate into factories opening, jobs created, and exports finding new markets. That is where lives are changed.
At the start of this year, we laid out a bold strategy anchored on measurable targets: $6 billion in foreign direct and portfolio investment, $6.5 billion in non-oil exports, a 20% rise in trade value, and 200,000 export-led jobs. These numbers are signposts of the Nigeria we want to build—competitive, innovative, and outward-looking.
Through carefully targeted investment roadshows and strategic engagements, we have already unlocked over $50 billion in commitments. The significance of this is not just in the numbers but in the renewed confidence of investors who now see Nigeria as a credible, forward-looking destination.
My vision is clear: a Nigeria where trade and industry no longer sit at the margins but drive inclusive prosperity, placing us firmly on the map as Africa’s industrial hub and one of the world’s most dynamic investment frontiers.
How are you engaging with the private sector to ensure that government policies align with the needs of businesses?
The Ministry has been intentional about creating platforms that genuinely engage and support the private sector. In November, we convened a roundtable with 100 exporters, listening directly to the challenges they face and working with them to remove bottlenecks. We have also identified and are closely tracking 100 Platinum Business Champions—large-cap enterprises whose growth and resilience are vital to Nigeria’s industrial future.
In July, we went further by hosting the Domestic Investors Summit. This landmark gathering brought together Nigeria’s leading entrepreneurs, financiers, and industrialists to chart a course for mobilising domestic capital, expanding market access, and supporting businesses through a regulatory sandbox that allows innovation to flourish while ensuring standards are upheld.
In parallel, the Minister of State for Industry convened the National Industrial Manpower Summit, shifting the focus to skills, technology, and the workforce needed to power the next phase of industrialisation. By bridging industry needs with skills development, we are laying the foundation for a workforce that is not only large but also competitive and future-ready.
How is the ministry engaging the youth in industrial and entrepreneurial activities, considering their significant role in the economy?
The youth are at the heart of Nigeria’s economic future. With over half of our population under 30, we cannot talk about industrialisation or entrepreneurship without placing young people at the centre of policy and practice.
At the Ministry, we are engaging them on multiple fronts. Through SMEDAN, we are equipping youth-led small and medium enterprises with training, access to finance, and business development services to help them scale. With the WEIDE Fund, we are deliberately creating opportunities for women and youth-owned enterprises to access export markets and participate in value chains.
Equally important, under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), we are working to ensure that young Nigerian entrepreneurs are not left behind in the new single market. From digital trade platforms to capacity-building programmes, we are opening doors for youth-led businesses to expand beyond our borders and compete across Africa.
We also rolled out Trade Intelligence Tools, which give small businesses real-time access to data on tariffs, export opportunities, and market requirements under the AfCFTA. Before now, this kind of information was often fragmented or inaccessible. Today, a fashion entrepreneur in Aba or a shea butter processor in Niger State can see the same market opportunities that larger companies see.
Another example is the capacity-building programmes we’ve scaled through NEPC and SMEDAN, equipping MSMEs with both technical and managerial skills. These interventions mean that learning is directly tied to earning; education is no longer just theory, it’s about enabling entrepreneurs to participate competitively in the global economy.
So, when we combine targeted training with transparent access to information, we empower young entrepreneurs to move from small, survivalist businesses into enterprises that create jobs, bring in export revenue, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic diversification. That is the real power of education and access to information in today’s Nigeria.
Our goal is to move young Nigerians from the sidelines to the centre of industrial and trade policy — empowering them not just as beneficiaries of programmes, but as active drivers of innovation, enterprise, and growth.
Can you share key lessons learnt in public service that has shaped your perspective on governance?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learnt is that there are no shortcuts when it comes to driving Nigeria’s economic growth. Actual systemic change — whether in people, processes, or institutions — takes time and deliberate effort. Building a culture of transparency, efficiency, and excellence requires courage, sustained commitment, and constant consensus-building.
I have also prioritised creating a collaborative environment, both within my team and with partners across government and the private sector. Strategic communication has been critical to navigating challenges, aligning diverse interests, and keeping reforms on track.
Finally, I’ve learnt that balancing expectations while executing high-impact projects demands agility and political acumen. These skills — sharpened throughout my leadership journey — have been essential in ensuring that reforms not only take root, but also deliver real value to Nigerians.
What do you look forward to?
For me, it is about excellence, impact, and the 200 million Nigerians we serve. I hope my leadership legacy reflects the power of systemic change — building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable business environment where policies translate into real progress and create opportunities for every Nigerian, especially women and young people.
More than anything, I want to inspire the next generation of leaders to look beyond immediate challenges, to embrace bold reforms, and to work relentlessly toward a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.
What do you enjoy most about your job and what do you look forward to achieving in this role?
I enjoy delivering tangible, measurable, and undisputable impact for Nigerian businesses and the entire economy. It’s all about the Nigerian role for me. From the nano business of a tomato seller in the market with daily inventory, to our Platinum Business Champions grossing over USD 1billion in annual revenues, for the last decade, I have been committed to striving to help them succeed, thrive, and scale.
I want to inspire the next generation of leaders to look beyond immediate challenges or gratification, to embrace bold reforms, and to work relentlessly toward the Nigeria we want – a developed, prosperous, equitable, and inclusive Nigeria.
For me, creating jobs, prosperity, and peace for over 200 million Nigerians is why I serve. I am incredibly grateful to God for the opportunity, for the confidence reposed in me by Mr President to deliver on this important national assignment.
My prayer is that my leadership legacy generates tangible and lasting results born out of the power of systemic change — building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable business environment where policies translate into real progress and create opportunities for every Nigerian, particularly women and young people.
It is your birthday today, but your passion for your assignment to Nigeria is heavier on your mind. Besides that, what do you wish for today?
For me, birthdays are a time to take stock of life and the journey so far, typically a quiet time of thanksgiving and of deep reflection. It’s been a pretty busy season for me. I feel profoundly grateful and loved. I usually take my birthday off and escape on a personal retreat alone for some hours, but that may not be possible this year. I want God to renew my strength, to continue to protect and bless my family and me with good health, to prepare me for the assignments and responsibilities entrusted to me, to give me the wisdom to avoid any costly mistakes, and to grant me success in Jesus name.
What do you have to say to Inspiring Woman Africa (IWA) especially because you have known the founder for a very long time?
Kemi, Inspiring Woman Africa is a testament to what your vision and consistency can achieve. I have known you for many, many years. You first interviewed me in 2013, when I was at the University of Lagos and had been awarded a visiting professorship, the Prince Claus Chair, by the ISS in The Hague, the Netherlands. I have seen you persevere and pour yourself, your passion, and your talent into amplifying the voices of women across Nigeria and Africa with sincerity of purpose. What you have built with IWA is not just an organisation — it is a movement that gives women the courage to dream bigger, to lead boldly, and to create meaningful change in their communities. What I have to say to you and to IWA for all you do is THANK YOU!!!