Nigeria’s wealth lies in its people, not oil — Shettima,
By Gift ChapiOdekina
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to boosting local production, saying Nigeria’s true wealth is rooted in the creativity and enterprise of its people—not in oil or natural resources.
Speaking at the Made in Naija Trade Exhibition organised by the House Committee on Commerce, Shettima, represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, said Nigeria’s global identity would ultimately be shaped by what it creates and exports.
“There is nothing that advertises the pride of a nation as much as the craft and creativity of its people,” he said. “Our future depends on the ingenuity of our citizens.”
Shettima described the exhibition as a statement of intent, signalling both government and private-sector readiness to elevate Nigerian-made products to global competitiveness.
He emphasised that while Nigeria possesses abundant oil, minerals, and fertile land, its true value lies in what citizens transform these resources into.
“Our fortune rests on our most valuable asset—our human capital,” he stated.
The Vice President noted that Nigerians have already demonstrated excellence in agro-processing, architecture, textiles, technology, manufacturing, and the creative industry. But he stressed that production alone is not enough.
“We must patronise what we produce. Each time we buy Nigerian, we invest in an entrepreneur, an artisan, a factory worker,” he said, adding that such choices strengthen the naira, support jobs, and reduce dependence on foreign supply chains.
According to Shettima, the Tinubu administration is committed to building an innovation-driven economy, with ongoing reforms targeting infrastructure, access to finance, port efficiency, and certification systems aligned with global standards.
“With the world’s highest quality, we want the answer to be Nigeria,” he said.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, also restated the commitment of the National Assembly to policies that prioritise local production. He described the exhibition as timely and aligned with the country’s push for industrial growth, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Abbas cited the Nigeria First Policy—which mandates government agencies to prioritise locally made goods in procurement—as a practical step toward economic revival.
He urged manufacturers to maintain global standards, noting that “quality assures credibility, and consumer trust.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, Hon. Ahmed Munir, said Nigeria is on the verge of an industrial rebirth driven by local manufacturing, innovation, and strong legislative backing.
He said substituting key imports with local alternatives could save the country up to $20 billion annually and potentially create over five million jobs by 2030. The non-oil sector, he added, is expected to contribute an additional 5% to GDP within five years.
Munir highlighted ongoing legislative efforts—including work on AfCFTA domestication and regulatory reforms—to boost industrial competitiveness.
He said the National Assembly is committed to building a strong economic base “brick by Nigerian-made brick.”
The post Nigeria’s wealth lies in its people, not oil — Shettima appeared first on Vanguard News.
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Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to boosting local production, saying Nigeria’s true wealth is rooted in the creativity and enterprise of its people—not in oil or natural resources.
The post Nigeria’s wealth lies in its people, not oil — Shettima appeared first on Vanguard News.
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