As the Made in Nigeria Project Office Legislative Bill Moves to the National Assembly: Nigeria Prepares for a New Era of Industrialization and National Brand Development

As the Made in Nigeria Project Office Legislative Bill Moves to the National Assembly: Nigeria Prepares for a New Era of Industrialization and National Brand Development

Nigeria is on the brink of a transformative milestone as the Legislative Bill establishing the Made in Nigeria Project Office as a full-fledged Federal Government Agency is about to move to the National Assembly for deliberation and confirmation. What began as a pilot Special Project Office under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) is now evolving into a statutory national institution, one designed to drive industrialization, strengthen national brands, expand domestic production, and position Nigeria competitively in global markets.

For years, the Made in Nigeria Project Office has operated as an engine room for national economic realignment, promoting homegrown enterprise, coordinating national product branding efforts, engaging state governments, and facilitating Nigeria’s participation in global expos. With its institutional upgrade now imminent, Nigeria stands ready to anchor its industrial aspirations within a stable, policy-driven, and program-oriented agency.

Why This Transition Matters: A New Era for Nigeria’s Industrialization Agenda

The transformation of the Made in Nigeria Office into a full agency is not merely administrative, it is strategic, timely, and essential. Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on imports, coupled with the decline of local manufacturing, has exposed deeply rooted structural weaknesses. The new agency is expected to serve as a central institution for national industrialization, directly complementing the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), AfCFTA opportunities, and the government’s push for economic diversification.

The agency will play a pivotal role in:

· Rebuilding Nigeria’s manufacturing base, especially in agro-processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods.

· Strengthening local value chains, from raw materials to finished products.

· Promoting national product standardization, authenticity, and quality assurance.

· Attracting FDI for industrial growth, cluster development, and factory revival.

· Reducing Nigeria’s import dependency, especially for items that can be locally produced.

For the first time, Nigeria will have a fully empowered statutory body solely focused on the transformation of local industries and the promotion of Nigerian-made goods domestically and internationally.

 

Institutional Mandate: What the New Agency Will Deliver

Once approved by the National Assembly, the National Brand Development and Made in Nigeria Agency will be mandated to coordinate a broad economic agenda that includes:

1. National Industrialization Drive

The expanded mandate positions the agency as one of Nigeria’s central implementation bodies for industrialization. This includes:

· Reviving moribund factories through investment facilitation (BOOT, PPP, FDI).

· Expanding industrial clusters, free trade zones, and innovation hubs.

· Promoting localized manufacturing across states and regions.

· Working with the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment, SMEDAN, SON, BOI, and NIPC.

2. National Brand Development

Nigeria has long lacked a unified national branding structure for goods, services, and innovation. The new agency will introduce:

· A National Labelling and Certification Framework.

· A National Product Gallery showcasing Nigerian products across sectors.

· Anti-counterfeiting surveillance and enforcement mechanisms.

· Standardization programs in collaboration with SON, NAFDAC, and relevant MDAs.

3. Entrepreneurial Growth and Market Access

Entrepreneurs are the foundation of production and industrial expansion. The agency will:

· Support Entrepreneurs with training, funding linkages, and export readiness.

· Facilitate market access through expos, economic forums, and international partnerships.

· Coordinate state-level Made in Nigeria programs and clusters.

4. Export Expansion and Global Visibility

Nigeria’s exports remain heavily skewed toward crude oil. The new agency will drive non-oil export expansion by:

· Showcasing Nigerian products at global expos

· Facilitating B2B meetings and product exhibitions abroad.

· Strengthening Nigeria’s presence in global value chains.

 

 A Legislative Milestone for Nigeria’s Economic Future

The decision to transform the National Brand Development and Made in Nigeria project  Office into a full agency did not happen overnight. It follows years of national events, test-case economic forums, state engagements, and international partnerships.

The proposed bill recognizes that Nigeria cannot industrialize without a central, stable, and permanent institution dedicated to:

· local manufacturing,

· product standardization,

· brand visibility,

· and national economic promotion.

Just as South Korea built KOTRA, Japan built JETRO, and China built its robust export-promotion agencies, Nigeria is now taking a decisive step to institutionalize its own vehicle for industrial growth and brand development.

 

A Strong Leadership Pillar

Under the leadership of Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, the National Coordinator & Executive Director, the Made in Nigeria Project Office has demonstrated strong administrative capacity, national outreach, and international visibility. These institutional achievements form the foundation upon which the new agency will be built.

His leadership has driven:

· The most recent: Nigeria Hong Kong Business Summit and Economic forum 14th to 16th November 2025 in Hong Kong

·  Approvals of hosting the Nigeria–Equatorial Guinea Economic Summit, Trade Fair, Expo & Exhibition 24th–27th March 2026 from Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea through its Chamber of Commerce,

· The Made In Nigeria Expo, Exhibition And Economic Forum – Middle East Edition (Qatar), 20th–25th April 2026

· State-level economic engagements : Made in Delta exhibition and Economic Forum 2025

· International partnerships across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East

This transition ensures continuity, expansion, and stronger national impact.

 

Industrialization as the Core of the Legislative Bill

The central pillar of the bill is industrialization, because no country becomes wealthy without producing what it consumes. Nigeria cannot depend on importation while aspiring for development. The Bill therefore embeds key industrial policies:

1. Local Production & Substitution Framework

· Promote goods that can replace imports.

· Support strategic sectors like agro-processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, steel, and petrochemicals.

2. Factory Revival Initiative

· Identify abandoned factories nationwide.

· Facilitate investors to revive them under BOOT, PPP, or FDI models.

3. National Industrial Clusters Development

· Create industrial zones at state and regional levels.

· Promote manufacturing hubs with ready access to power, markets, and logistics.

4. Skills & Innovation Development

· Establish R&D centres.

· Promote technical and vocational training.

· Connect youth with national industrial programs.

5. Quality Control & Standardization

· Anti-counterfeit technology.

· Unified national product identity.

· Compliance with global standards.

These provisions set the foundation for the largest industrial transformation program in Nigeria’s recent history.

 

What This Means for Nigerians

Once established, the agency will drive tangible outcomes:

✔ Cheaper, locally produced goods

✔ More factories and manufacturing jobs

✔ Reduced pressure on the naira through import reduction

✔ Expanded export opportunities

✔ Stronger national identity and pride

✔ Increased investment inflows

This agency is not just administrative, it is economic, strategic, and nation-building.

 

A New Chapter for Nigeria’s Economic Renaissance

The transition of the National Brand Development and the  Made in Nigeria Project Office into a statutory federal agency marks the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s economic story. For the first time, Nigeria is setting up a permanent institution to champion homegrown production, national industrialization, SME empowerment, and brand development.

This legislative step signals a clear message:
Nigeria is ready to produce what it consumes, export what it produces, and compete globally.

As the Bill heads to the National Assembly, Nigerians can look forward to a future where the Made in Nigeria identity is not merely a slogan, but a structured national economic program, anchored on policy, powered by innovation, and driven by the collective ambition to industrialize the nation.