Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, has assured Nigerians that the 2025 budget, signed at a historic ₦54.2 trillion, is set to deliver tangible economic relief and drive national progress.
Speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja, Uzoka-Anite emphasized that the budget is not just a financial document but a strategic roadmap for economic resilience, social stability, and national development. She highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the budget, which focuses on security, infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, and solid minerals.
“Already, we are witnessing the gradual reduction in food prices, bringing much-needed relief to Nigerians,” Uzoka-Anite noted, attributing this improvement to the administration’s economic policies.
As part of the government’s economic diversification efforts, Uzoka-Anite announced the establishment of the Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG), an elite task force dedicated to re-engineering Nigeria’s industrial landscape. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) President will co-chair the work group, which will focus on resolving industrial bottlenecks, improving manufacturing capacity, and driving innovation.
“Our engagement with key industry stakeholders, including the private sector, has resulted in strategic interventions to strengthen local manufacturing capabilities and access to finance,” the minister said.
Additionally, the ministry has partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to accelerate industrial development through technology, research, and policy reforms.
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On trade, Uzoka-Anite revealed that Nigeria has been re-positioned as an African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Champion, ensuring the country plays a leading role in Africa’s digital economy.
She also announced key trade initiatives, including:
Strengthening ties with five key trading nations
A strategic review of Nigeria’s trade policies to remove bottlenecks
Deepening Nigeria’s participation in AfCFTA and securing global trade deals
Attracting $5 billion in investment deals at the UAE trade summit
“Over 50% of Nigeria’s GDP comes from services, with fintech, edutech, agritech, and digital trade thriving. We are optimizing AfCFTA to create more jobs, particularly in business outsourcing, which allows young Nigerians to earn in foreign currencies,” she explained.
Uzoka-Anite also unveiled plans to digitize the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, aligning with the federal government’s paperless governance agenda.
“We have signed an MoU with iDemocrats Foundation to fully digitize our ministry, ensuring efficiency and transparency in delivering on our mandate,” she stated.
The minister urged all Nigerians to support the government’s economic initiatives, emphasizing that 2025 is the year for consolidation and results.
“This administration has laid the foundation, and now, it’s time for Nigerians to experience the benefits of our policies. Together, we can build a more prosperous and united Nigeria,” Uzoka-Anite concluded.
