Former Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, has urged the newly inaugurated Industrial Revolution Work Group members to ensure continuity and execution in Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.

Mr Aganga said this while presenting a keynote at the inauguration of the IRWG in Abuja on Thursday.

He said past industrial policies had suffered due to inconsistent execution and called on stakeholders to remain committed to measurable milestones and sustained engagement.

Mr Aganga commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for taking a bold step toward revitalising the country’s industrial sector, adding that industrialisation is the backbone of any advanced economy.

According to the former minister, Nigeria’s industrial stagnation is due to inefficiencies, outdated policies, and infrastructural decay.

He said that the IRWG was responsible for identifying and reviving key industries, particularly in textiles, steel, and agro-processing.

“A revitalised textile sector means jobs for thousands; a functional steel industry means infrastructure development; and a flourishing agro-processing industry means food security. These are not just economic necessities but national imperatives,” he said.

He outlined four fundamental pillars to drive the IRWG’s work, including policy reform, which entailed removing bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving the ease of doing business.

The former minister said infrastructure and energy solutions that address power supply deficiencies and improve logistics would drive the IRWG. He said that access to finance by providing long-term, low-cost funding for manufacturers, technology and innovation through digital transformation was a critical factor.

He said that no government could singlehandedly drive industrialisation, thus the importance of stronger private-sector participation.

“I urge industry leaders to see the IRWG as a national imperative that requires commitment, accountability, and action beyond rhetoric,” he said.

He called for strong synergy between the two ministers to ensure seamless implementation of policies and real impact in the sector.

“As Nigeria embarks on this new industrial push, I charge stakeholders to remain steadfast in execution. The IRWG’s success will be judged not by policies but by tangible results, such as factories reopening, jobs created, and increased economic prosperity.

“The IRWG is not just another initiative. It is the foundation of a new economic dawn. Let us seize this opportunity with the determination and foresight it demands,” he said.

(NAN)