As part of ongoing efforts to stimulate innovation and accelerate industrial development, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) convened a high-level stakeholders’ forum on Made-in-Nigeria products in Benin City, Edo State.
The forum brought together key players from government, academia, industry, and the financial sector, with the overarching goal of fostering stronger public-private partnerships to drive indigenous technological advancement. Discussions centered on expanding market access for locally manufactured goods, improving the policy environment for domestic innovation, and strengthening the role of local content in national economic development.
Representing the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Oroghide Eghosa, the Director of ICT in the state, conveyed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to promoting homegrown solutions. He stressed that innovation must lie at the heart of Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency, and called for concerted efforts to empower local inventors, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
“Innovation is not just a buzzword—it is the engine of development,” Eghosa stated. “To become self-reliant and competitive globally, we must fully embrace and support indigenous talent and technology.”
NASENI’s representative at the event, Bernard Ozigi, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of collective action to stimulate economic growth through increased local production. He called on stakeholders across sectors to collaborate in creating a thriving ecosystem for Made-in-Nigeria goods.
A highlight of the forum was a panel session featuring experts from academia, manufacturing, and finance. Panelists urged the federal and state governments to intensify policies that promote local content, improve infrastructure, and shift public perception toward greater trust and pride in Nigerian-made products.
They also advocated for stronger incentives for local manufacturers, including easier access to credit, tax reliefs, and research grants. According to the panel, these measures are essential to ensuring that Nigerian innovation does not only survive but thrives on both national and global stages.
The forum concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to build on the momentum generated, and to work collaboratively in shaping a sustainable and inclusive industrial future for Nigeria.
