By Dr Femi Akinkuebi
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. Its aspirations for economic transformation and sustainable development continue to run into familiar barriers—reliance on crude oil, an import-heavy economy, and underperforming industrial capacity. While these issues are deeply entrenched, they are not insurmountable. The real tragedy would be failing to act while holding an often-overlooked trump card: a youthful, vibrant population that has the potential to drive an industrial revolution.
Industrialisation is not merely one of many options—it is the tested and proven route through which nations have built wealth, reduced poverty, and strengthened their global influence. From the early industrial revolutions in Europe to Asia’s 21st-century manufacturing dominance, the path is clear: prosperity lies in producing, not just consuming. For Nigeria, this path remains largely underdeveloped.
The country’s industrial growth has long been stifled by a litany of challenges. Frequent power outages, poor transport and logistics infrastructure, inconsistent government policies, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and limited access to finance have made manufacturing a daunting prospect. In many instances, it is cheaper to import finished goods than to produce them locally. Despite abundant raw materials, Nigeria continues to export crude oil and agricultural commodities, only to import refined products and processed foods at a premium.
While these systemic challenges must be addressed, Nigeria cannot afford to sit idle. The rest of the world is not waiting. Countries with fewer resources are racing ahead, driven by strategic industrial policies and empowered populations. Today, smart factories, robotics, and artificial intelligence are reshaping manufacturing globally. Nations that once relied on manual labour now export cutting-edge technologies. Meanwhile, many Nigerian factories sit idle or operate below capacity.
Yet Nigeria holds a secret weapon—its youth. With over 60 percent of the population under 30, according to the National Bureau of Statistics and UN demographic data, the country is blessed with a workforce of more than 130 million young people. This figure exceeds the entire populations of countries like Japan, Germany, or the United Kingdom. It is a demographic dividend that, if properly harnessed, could transform Nigeria into an industrial powerhouse.
History offers compelling examples of what is possible when nations invest in their young populations. After the devastation of World War II, Japan rebuilt its economy by instilling a culture of discipline and innovation among its youth. Young engineers and entrepreneurs became the bedrock of what is now one of the most technologically advanced societies in the world. In the 1980s and 1990s, South Korea emerged from military rule and poverty by channelling state investment into education and manufacturing, equipping its youth with skills and opportunities. Today, South Korea is not just an exporter of electronics and automobiles but also a leader in digital innovation.
China’s story is even more dramatic. With economic reforms initiated in 1978, the Chinese government created special economic zones and industrial clusters that employed millions of young people. It combined vocational training, access to capital, and a strong manufacturing ecosystem to lift more than 700 million people out of poverty in just four decades. Young workers were at the centre of this transformation, forming the backbone of China’s global export machine.
Closer to home, Ethiopia has begun taking bold steps to replicate these successes. With support from partners like China and the World Bank, Ethiopia established industrial parks focused on textiles and agro-processing. The Hawassa Industrial Park, for example, employs thousands of young Ethiopians and has become a model of labour-intensive manufacturing in Africa. These initiatives have not only increased exports but also reduced youth unemployment and urban poverty.
Nigeria must take a cue. It is not enough to have numbers; those numbers must be empowered. What is needed is a national industrial strategy anchored on youth participation. This means revitalising technical and vocational education, encouraging entrepreneurship in manufacturing, and providing access to finance and modern equipment. It means creating industrial parks and small-scale hubs not just in major cities, but in secondary towns and rural areas—places where young Nigerians can create, innovate, and build.
The focus must extend beyond large-scale industries to include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which already account for a significant portion of employment across Africa. Youth-led SMEs in sectors such as agro-processing, fashion and textiles, waste recycling, construction materials, and packaging have shown resilience and innovation, even in challenging environments. Supporting these efforts through tax incentives, simplified regulations, and market access could dramatically expand Nigeria’s industrial footprint.
Technology also offers new opportunities. The integration of digital tools in logistics, production management, and distribution can help young manufacturers overcome traditional constraints. Platforms for e-commerce, inventory tracking, and supply chain optimisation are making it easier for youth-led businesses to reach national and international markets.
But youth alone cannot shoulder this burden. There must be coordinated support from all sectors of society. Government must provide the infrastructure, policy stability, and incentives. Financial institutions need to reimagine creditworthiness in ways that favour innovation and start-ups. Established entrepreneurs should serve as mentors, while universities and polytechnics must align their curricula with industrial needs.
The time has come to build a national consensus around industrialisation. It should not be a political talking point, but a unified agenda that transcends administrations and regional divides. It should be built into our educational system, our foreign policy, and our budgeting priorities. Industrialisation must become synonymous with national pride and progress.
Nigeria has the raw materials, the land, the markets, and most importantly, the people. What remains is to harness all of these into a productive force that builds instead of buys, that exports instead of imports, and that values skill and innovation over shortcuts and speculation.
The world is not standing still, and neither should Nigeria. The time to ignite an industrial revolution driven by our youth is now. The energy is there. The numbers are in our favour. What we need is the will.