The federal government is set to inaugurate Project WHEAT-NESS to strengthen Nigeria’s wheat-based consumer food industry and improve its competitiveness.

The initiative aims to optimise the wheat value chain, boost domestic value addition and promote cost competitiveness across the sector.

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by Ifeoma Williams, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh.

Coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the programme aims to address challenges and unlock opportunities across the industry.

Mr Enoh said the launch and stakeholder mobilisation would hold at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, bringing together government officials, industry players, financial institutions, researchers and development partners.

“Nigeria consumes and imports an estimated six to seven million metric tonnes of wheat annually, highlighting the scale of the market and opportunities for domestic value addition,” he said.

He stated that the initiative would strengthen local production, processing, enterprise productivity and market access while improving coordination across the wheat-based consumer foods value chain.

According to him, Project WHEAT-NESS will focus on four intervention areas: value chain development, enterprise development, a Made-in-Nigeria marketing campaign and a dedicated development fund.

He explained that the value chain component would support improved supply, productive capacity, industrial integration and efficiency.

He added that enterprise development would target the competitiveness and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The minister said the Made-in-Nigeria campaign would promote consumer confidence and demand for locally produced foods.

He added that the dedicated development fund would seek to mobilise suitable financing and investment to support the sector.

Mr Enoh said the launch would provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss industry opportunities, identify constraints and explore collaboration and technical support.

“The programme will feature a formal launch, presentation of its objectives, a strategic stakeholder dialogue and thematic working sessions on supply, industrial competitiveness, markets and finance,” he said.

He said participants were expected to identify priority issues, potential partnerships, investment opportunities and areas requiring further technical assessment to guide implementation.

According to him, the engagement will establish a foundation for continued consultations and coordinated action across Nigeria’s wheat-based consumer foods industry. 

(NAN)