Made in Nigeria Project Office Holds First Made in Nasarawa Project Staff Training in Lafia

The National Brands Development, Made in Nigeria Project Office, under The Presidency, has successfully organized the First Made in Nasarawa Project Staff Training in Lafia, Nasarawa State, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the Made in Nigeria initiative at the state level.

The training forms part of the Office's strategic efforts to build a competent workforce that will drive the Made in Nasarawa Project, strengthen local industries, promote indigenous products, and support the Federal Government's Nigeria First Policy, which prioritizes local production, value addition, and economic self-reliance.

By equipping project personnel with the necessary knowledge, skills, and implementation strategies, the training lays a strong foundation for the successful execution of programmes designed to transform Nasarawa State into a leading hub for manufacturing, agriculture, solid minerals, and enterprise development.

Building Capacity for Effective Implementation

The success of any development initiative depends on the quality of the people responsible for implementing it. Recognizing this, the Made in Nigeria Project Office organized the training to prepare staff for their critical role in advancing the Made in Nasarawa Project.

Participants received orientation on the vision, objectives, and operational framework of the project, with emphasis on promoting local production, supporting entrepreneurs, and encouraging value addition across key sectors of the state's economy.

The training also introduced participants to best practices in project management, stakeholder engagement, community mobilization, product promotion, and investment facilitation.

Advancing the Made in Nasarawa Vision

The Made in Nasarawa Project is designed to unlock the state's abundant economic potential by promoting locally manufactured products and encouraging investment in strategic sectors.

Nasarawa State is richly endowed with opportunities in:

• Agriculture and agro-processing.

• Solid minerals, including lithium, limestone, and barite.

• Food processing.

• Leather and textile production.

• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

• Manufacturing and industrial development.

• Creative industries.

Through the project, local producers will receive greater support to improve product quality, branding, packaging, market access, and competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.

Supporting the Nigeria First Policy

The staff training aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Nigeria First Policy, which encourages Nigerians to prioritize locally produced goods and services while strengthening domestic industries.

The National Brands Development, Made in Nigeria Project Office continues to work closely with state governments to localize this national vision through initiatives such as the Made in Nasarawa Project.

By building institutional capacity at the state level, the Office is ensuring that the benefits of industrialization, entrepreneurship, and local content development reach communities across the country.

Developing Skilled Project Teams

During the training, participants were equipped with practical knowledge on several key areas, including:

• Project implementation strategies.

• Product branding and promotion.

• Value chain development.

• Investment attraction.

• Community engagement.

• Enterprise development.

• Monitoring and evaluation.

• Public-private partnerships.

• Export readiness.

• Teamwork and leadership.

These skills will enable project staff to effectively support manufacturers, farmers, artisans, cooperatives, and entrepreneurs throughout Nasarawa State.

Promoting Local Production and Value Addition

One of the central objectives of the Made in Nasarawa Project is to encourage the processing of local raw materials into finished products.

Rather than exporting raw agricultural produce or mineral resources, the initiative promotes value addition that creates employment, increases incomes, and boosts the state's contribution to Nigeria's industrial growth.

This approach reflects the broader mandate of the Made in Nigeria Project Office, which seeks to transform Nigeria into a production-driven economy where local industries thrive, and indigenous products compete successfully in global markets.

Strengthening Partnerships for Economic Growth

The success of the Made in Nasarawa Project will depend on collaboration between government institutions, the private sector, development partners, financial institutions, research organizations, and local communities.

The staff training emphasized the importance of building strong partnerships capable of supporting:

• Industrial development.

• Skills acquisition.

• Business incubation.

• Investment promotion.

• Product certification.

• Market expansion.

• Export development.

Such collaborations will help create an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth across the state.

Creating Jobs and Expanding Opportunities

As implementation of the Made in Nasarawa Project progresses, it is expected to generate significant socio-economic benefits, including:

• Increased local production.

• Higher employment levels.

• Improved household incomes.

• Stronger SMEs.

• Expanded industrial activities.

• Increased investment.

• Greater export potential.

• Enhanced economic competitiveness.

By empowering local producers and strengthening value chains, the initiative will contribute meaningfully to poverty reduction and inclusive economic development.

Looking Ahead

The First Made in Nasarawa Project Staff Training in Lafia represents an important step in translating the vision of the National Brands Development, Made in Nigeria Project Office into practical action at the state level. By investing in the capacity of its personnel, the Office is creating a strong implementation framework that will support industrialization, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth in Nasarawa State.

As the Made in Nasarawa Project moves from planning to full implementation, trained staff will play a pivotal role in promoting local products, supporting businesses, attracting investment, and connecting producers to larger markets. Through initiatives like this, the Made in Nigeria Project Office continues to demonstrate its commitment to building a productive, self-reliant, and globally competitive Nigerian economy, one state at a time.