The Federal Government says it has mobilised more than 380 million dollars in strategic financing commitments to support manufacturing and value-chain development under the Nigerian Industrial Policy 2025.
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh, said this on Tuesday in Port Harcourt at the opening of the 22nd International Conference organised by the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE).
Enoh was represented at the event by Mr Etoro Johnson, of the Industrial Inspectorate Department.
He said that the 2026 International Conferece and Exhibition on Power and Telecommunication (ISEF 2026) with the theme: “Energy Transition in the Digital Era: A Nexus, Challenges and Opportunities.” was apt.
Enoh said the Nigerian Industrial Policy 2025 provided a framework for addressing gaps in energy, trade, infrastructure and technology to strengthen industrial development and create a competitive business environment.
He said the government was prioritising value addition in agro-processing, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles and light manufacturing to reduce dependence on raw commodity exports and promote domestic production of finished goods.
The minister said the government was also prioritising dedicated energy solutions for industrial clusters to address power supply challenges, which remained a major operational headache for manufacturers.
He cited collaborative initiatives involving dedicated power and gas infrastructure for industrial parks as models for providing reliable energy to manufacturing centres across the country.
Enoh said the ministry was expanding financing interventions in partnership with the Bank of Industry to reduce barriers to accessing funds for producers.
He said the government was also strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through capability mapping and technical training in automation and artisanal skills to improve productivity and integrate local suppliers into major industrial value chains.
According to him, the government is strengthening product quality and standards through regional quality-mark initiatives and standardised certification frameworks to enable Nigerian products to compete more effectively under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He said the convergence of energy transition and digital transformation offered Nigeria an opportunity to build a sustainable, globally competitive and technologically advanced industrial ecosystem.
“Electrical and electronics engineers stand at the centre of this transition.
“This is whether designing smart grids, expanding telecommunications networks, advancing automation in local factories or integrating renewable energy systems into industrial parks,” he said.
Enoh said industrialisation required robust power infrastructure, advanced digital technology, reliable energy supply and efficient value chains.
He urged engineers to collaborate with the government in developing indigenous technologies, improving energy delivery to manufacturing hubs and accelerating the adoption of digital solutions across all sectors of the economy.
“Government cannot achieve this vision in isolation.
“I therefore call on the engineering community to partner with us in developing homegrown technologies, optimising energy delivery to manufacturing hubs and accelerating the adoption of digital solutions,” he said.
The minister urged delegates at the conference to translate their discussions into practical recommendations that would support policy implementation, industrial growth, investment, job creation and sustainable economic development.
He commended the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE) for organising the conference, saying it provided a platform for dialogue on Nigeria’s industrial and technological development.
Dr Felix Adeboye, the President, Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, urged engineers to leverage digital technologies to accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition, improve electricity access and strengthen telecommunications infrastructure.
Adeboye said that technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things and digital twins could transform energy generation, transmission and distribution.
He stressed the need for engineers to develop locally relevant solutions to improve grid resilience, integrate renewable energy, reduce technical and commercial losses and attract investment.
According to him, achieving an inclusive energy transition requires collaboration among government, industry, academia, researchers, investors and communities.
The NIEEE president also highlighted the introduction of a dedicated Fellows Assembly to examine artificial intelligence’s impact on engineering practice, ethics, safety, cybersecurity and professional accountability.
He urged participants to translate knowledge gained at the conference into practical technologies, stronger industry-academia partnerships and sustainable engineering solutions that would advance Nigeria’s energy and digital development.
Meanwhile, Mr Olice Kemenanabo, the chairman of the occasion, urged engineers to embrace innovation, uphold professional standards and develop practical, affordable and resilient solutions to drive industrial growth and economic development in Nigeria.
Kemenanabo said the success of the electrical, electronics and telecommunications sectors depended on sound engineering, proper planning, technical competence and adherence to standards.
He urged engineers to take their rightful place in society, stressing that engineering innovations, including robotics and artificial intelligence, could improve essential services and strengthen the economy.
The chairman cited a surgery in Turkey, during which specialised equipment enabled the removal of a lung nodule in 28 minutes, as an example of engineering’s impact on healthcare.
He urged engineers to be proud of their profession and deploy their expertise to develop solutions suited to Nigeria’s needs.
