Former deputy governors of Nigeria have issued a bold call for urgent action to boost national productivity and economic self-reliance, highlighting innovation, industry, and strategic leadership as key drivers for growth.
The 4th National Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN), held at the Abuja Continental Hotel on October 28-29, convened leaders from across the country to deliberate on the theme: “Boosting Nigeria’s Productive Capacity for National Growth and Self-Reliance: The Role of Leadership, Industry and Innovation in Policy Implementation.”
Chaired by former Senate President HE Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON, and officially opened by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Alhaji Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, the conference culminated in a communiqué commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Nigeria First policy and ongoing economic reforms.
Key recommendations included the need to revivelocal industries with a focus on agro-industrialization, textiles, cocoa, solid minerals, and digital technologies, prioritize education, healthcare, and technical skills to strengthen the workforce, support SMEs as engines of job creation and economic growth and leveraging Nigeria’s youthful population, vast agricultural resources, and growing technological capacity to boost productivity.
Other recommendations included, establishing farmers’ markets, silos, and community processing centers to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance value chains and to encourage the use of made-in-Nigeria products, mass cocoa planting, and reintroduction of agricultural extension services.
FFDGN leaders, including National Chairman HE Chris Alozie Akomas, PhD, FNIM, and Deputy National Chairmen HE Muktar Anka (North) and HE Barr. Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi (South), stressed that visionary leadership, long-term planning, and citizen participation are essential for sustainable growth and true self-reliance.
“The forum believes that Nigeria can achieve genuine productivity and economic independence if policies are implemented with consistency, integrity, and innovation,” the communiqué concluded.
FFDGN Champions Industry, Self-Reliance for Nigeria
