By Becky Momodu
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a $1 trillion economy, announcing that it has attracted more than US$24.1 billion in capital importation and generated over US$6.1 billion in non-oil exports under the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The disclosures were made on Monday at the opening of the Technical Session of the 17th National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (NCITI) in Enugu, where government officials, state representatives and industry stakeholders gathered to review progress and outline strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s industrial and investment landscape.
Declaring the session open on behalf of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, said the Federal Government remained focused on policies that would drive industrialisation, increase productivity, attract investments, expand exports and create jobs.
According to him, the theme of this year’s council, “Enhancing Competitiveness in Industry, Trade and Investment for Inclusive Growth and Global Market Integration,” underscores government’s determination to position Nigeria as a globally competitive economy.
Isokpunwu highlighted ongoing reforms, including the operationalisation of the National Single Window, trade facilitation measures, digital public infrastructure and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing them as critical to improving the country’s business environment.
He urged delegates to develop practical and evidence-based recommendations that would strengthen collaboration among the federal and state governments, the private sector and development partners.
Also presenting the implementation report of the 16th NCITI resolutions, the Director of Policy, Planning, Research and Statistics in the ministry, Mrs. Iya Gamawa, said significant progress had been recorded across the 22 resolutions adopted at the previous council.
She disclosed that more than 115,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) had been supported under the Renewed Hope Agenda, while over 40,000 exporters had been onboarded onto the Nigerian Export Promotion Council’s digital export registration platform.
Gamawa further revealed that the ministry was advancing plans for a ₦350 billion MSME Development Fund aimed at boosting enterprise growth and improving access to finance for small businesses.
She added that 2026 marks the first full year of implementing the Nigeria Industrial Policy (2025–2035), which focuses on industrialisation, strategic value chains, digital transformation and stronger public-private partnerships to accelerate sustainable economic growth.
Officials of the Enugu State Government, including Commissioner for Trade and Investment Dr. Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo and Permanent Secretary Mr. Ifeanyi Onah, also showcased the state’s investment opportunities, highlighting reforms such as Executive Order 007, which they said has improved the ease of doing business, enhanced government efficiency and strengthened investor confidence.
The technical session is expected to consider memoranda submitted by ministries, departments and agencies, state governments and other stakeholders before forwarding its resolutions for adoption at the Executive Session of the 17th National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment.