By Onyeka Abba, Abuja
The Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its efforts in stabilizing the economy. Speaking to journalists at the ongoing ECOWAS 4th Joint Meeting of Ministers of Trade and Industry in Abuja.
She cited key policy decisions, including the 2023 subsidy removal and NNPC reforms, among others as instrumental in yielding positive results and setting the stage for sustained economic growth.
Dr. Oduwole emphasized the government’s renewed focus on the “Made in Nigeria” initiative, encouraging both public and private sectors to prioritize local production and consumption. This initiative, according to her aims to boost economic development and create new opportunities for growth. She also highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in digital trade protocols in Africa, leveraging the competitiveness of its youth in the digital space.
The ECOWAS 4th Joint Meeting of Ministers of Trade and Industry, currently underway in Abuja, brings together key stakeholders to accelerate regional economic integration, enhance industrial growth, and strengthen investment cooperation across West Africa. The meeting aligns with ECOWAS’s Vision 2050, focusing on structural transformation and private sector development.
The meeting’s key objectives include accelerating regional economic integration, enhancing industrial growth, and strengthening investment cooperation.
Key discussions will focus on renegotiating bound tariffs, reviewing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, harmonizing industry standards, and evaluating the ECOWAS Common Investment Market (ECIM) framework.
The meeting is expected to yield policy recommendations, regional standards review, and the creation of a thriving business environment. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gaining momentum, the gathering provides a platform for Ministers to explore ways to deepen economic partnerships and advance sustainable trade growth and industrial competitiveness.
