Anyim, Wamakko, Ex-Deputy Governors Demand Renewed Focus on Nigeria’s Industrial Growth

Former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, and several former deputy governors have collectively urged a renewed national commitment to industrial productivity to fast-track Nigeria’s economic growth and self-reliance. This call was the central theme of the 4th Annual National Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria, held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Dependable NG reports that the conference, titled, “Boosting Nigeria’s Productive Capacity for National Growth and Self-Reliance: The Role of Leadership, Industry and Innovation in Policy Implementation,” served as a platform for high-level policy-oriented engagement. In his keynote address, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim highlighted that Nigeria’s pursuit of a productive economy had been consistent since 1960. However, he lamented the failure to sustain the initial momentum of industrialisation due to a combination of political instability, weak national institutions, and pervasive policy inconsistency.

The former Senate President pointed out that the tragic collapse of key industrial clusters across cities like Kano, Kaduna, Aba, Onitsha, and Lagos was not due to a lack of awareness regarding their benefits, but was instead driven by policy inconsistency, corruption, ethnicity, and a severe loss of national values. He stressed that for the country to achieve a rapid turnaround in local production, the government must actively “protect our markets, improve infrastructure, and restore patriotism in governance.” This, he argued, mirrors the successful strategy employed by every thriving local economy, which enjoys both policy protection and a competitive production environment.

In his remarks as the Conference Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wamakko commended the forum for maintaining a tradition of focused engagement on national policy. He urged all participants to concentrate on practical, measurable steps that could fundamentally reposition Nigeria’s industrial landscape for both sustainability and global competitiveness. Wamakko further emphasised the necessity of a shared national vision and mutual agreement on a work plan to build trust, confidence, and ultimately drive development, particularly at the sub-national levels.

The National Chairman of the forum, Dr. Chris Akomas, who previously served as the deputy governor of Abia State, explained that the conference was specifically convened to devise strategic solutions for reviving the nation’s productive capacity. He noted that the forum remains a vital platform for “refined and unbiased discourse” aimed at fostering growth and unity. Akomas stated that Nigeria’s main challenge has never been a lack of potential, but rather the failure to properly harness and translate that vast potential into tangible economic growth, sustainable wealth creation, and improved quality of life for its citizens. He concluded by urging a crucial collaboration among the government, the private sector, and civil society to implement innovative strategies that will unlock industrial capacity and strengthen overall economic resilience.