By Janet Samuel
Nigeria is standing “on the brink of an industrial and economic rebirth,” the Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, Hon. Ahmed Munir has declared.
Speaking at the Made-in-Naija Trade Exhibition organised by the House Committee on Commerce held at the National Assembly in Abuja, Munir said the country must now “forge prosperity with our own hands” by embracing local manufacturing, innovation, and strong legislative backing.
Munir, who represents Lere Federal Constituency in kaduna State, said Nigeria’s renewed commitment to local content is projected to create over five million new jobs by 2030, moving young people from “the unemployment queue to factory floors, workshops, and innovation hubs.” He described this shift as not only economically strategic but a “restoration of the dignity of labour.”
According to him, Nigeria can save up to $20 billion annually by substituting key imports with local alternatives, a move, he said aligns fully with the priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He added that the expansion of the non-oil industrial sector “is no longer aspirational but a policy pillar,” with Made-in-Naija products expected to contribute an additional 5% to Nigeria’s GDP within the next five years.
Hon. Munir emphasized that Nigerian-made products must be positioned as globally competitive:
“Our vision extends beyond our borders. Nigerian products must be ready to compete not just in Lagos or Abuja but in London, Beijing, and New York.”
He also highlighted active legislative efforts of the 10th National Assembly under Speaker Abbas Tajudeen. These include the domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, opening access to a $3.4 trillion market, the establishment of a National Weights and Measures Centre, and the strengthening of patent and regulatory laws to boost industrial competitiveness and attract foreign direct investments.
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, represented by Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar, praised Munir’s leadership and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting local industries. He said Nigeria’s global relevance must be defined by what it creates, insisting that “Made-in-Nigeria must become synonymous with quality, innovation, and competitiveness.”
Also speaking, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen commended Munir for conceptualising and delivering the exhibition, describing it as a “timely response to the national call for industrial growth and economic self-reliance.” He emphasised that Nigeria must reduce import dependency and build an economy powered by domestic production and value addition.
Munir concluded that the House Committee on Commerce remains fully committed to building a solid economic base “brick by Nigerian-made brick,” adding that every policy and bill under consideration is aimed at sustaining growth, boosting investor confidence, and ensuring that Nigerian products take their rightful place on the global stage.