Plans are underway by the Federal Government to launch an innovative platform, named ‘Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG) Digital Hub’ to drive Nigeria’s industrial transformation.

The Minister of State for Industry, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, disclosed this in Abuja yesterday at the inauguration of the Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG), explaining that the hub would serve as a centralised space for real-time data, access, industrial policy development and stakeholder collaboration.

The minister noted that by leveraging technology, the platform aims to facilitate seamless interaction among industry players, policymakers, investors and researchers, fostering innovation, boosting manufacturing efficiency and enhancing Nigeria’s global industrial competitiveness.

When launched, it will serve as a centralised space for real-time data access, industrial policy development and stakeholder collaboration.

By leveraging technology, the platform aims to facilitate seamless interaction among industry players, policymakers, investors and researchers, fostering innovation, boosting manufacturing efficiency and enhancing Nigeria’s global industrial competitiveness.

The minister added: “The IRWG Digital Hub will be a game-changer, integrating digital technology with manufacturing growth strategies to keep Nigeria at the forefront of industrial development.”

He further disclosed that the launch of the IRWG Digital Hub will be a significant milestone in Nigeria’s industrial development.

Enoh encouraged stakeholders to stay informed, prepare for engagement, and leverage the platform’s opportunities once it becomes operational to build a more competitive and sustainable industrial sector for Nigeria.

Speaking further on the IRWG, Enoh said it serves as Nigeria’s one-stop hub for industrial transformation – a war cabinet and think tank committed to driving the reengineering of the nation’s industrial sector.

Tasked with the practical execution of policies, interventions, and solutions, the IRWG will diagnose challenges, formulate strategic responses, and implement hands-on solutions that enhance productivity, competitiveness, job creation and economic resilience.

He added that the government’s goal is to remove bottlenecks, facilitate seamless industrial operations, and position Nigeria as a global manufacturing and innovation hub.
The minister argued that IRWG is intended to spearhead the transformation of Nigeria’s industrial landscape through a proactive, solutions-driven approach, fostering innovation, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure development.

On his part, a former Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, bemoaned policy implementation inconsistency.

Aganga, who delivered the keynote at the function, said Nigeria is not short of policies but lacks the discipline the stay the course on policy implementation.
He pointed at South Africa whose automobile policy is 60 years old and said policies fail in Nigeria because successive governments discard previous efforts which have pulled the country backwards consistently.

Aganga noted that for the initiative to achieve its objectives, clear execution strategies with measurable milestones must be put in place.

Also, he stressed the need to institute strict adherence to timelines and accountability frameworks, continuous engagement with local and international investors and a shared commitment to the principles of industrial excellence

He added that by bringing together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, the initiative will drive a targeted and structured process to tackle the pressing challenges facing Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, resuscitate moribund industries, and create an enabling environment for sustainable industrial growth.

“Industrialisation is not just about factories; it is about jobs, innovation, self-reliance, and economic resilience. It is about transforming our abundant natural resources into value-added products that serve both local and global markets. It is about ensuring that Made-in-Nigeria is not just a label but a globally recognized mark of quality and ingenuity,” he said.

The 22-man work group is chaired by the Minister while the President of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) serves as the co-chair.