….Alake, Saka say value addition, skills development key to boosting productivity
By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Olakunle Alake, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Aderemi Saka, have called for increased investment in industrial hubs, local sourcing of raw materials and value addition to accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth.
They said strengthening domestic manufacturing, developing local supply chains and equipping workers with relevant technical skills would boost productivity, create employment opportunities and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian industries.
The industry leaders made the call at the CEO Forum of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
Speaking through his representative, Isa Yusuf Aruwa, Alake said Dangote Group was promoting industrial hubs as a strategy for driving economic development, citing the proposed Dangote Olokola Industrial Hub in Ondo State as an example of its commitment to industrial expansion.
He explained that bringing businesses together within integrated industrial hubs would help companies enjoy economies of scale, lower operating costs, create jobs and share technical knowledge.
“An integrated industrial hub offers the opportunity to address several constraints together: energy, logistics, manufacturing infrastructure and access to markets. But the wider economic benefits will depend on how deliberately we connect the investment to the surrounding economy,” he said.
Alake stressed that the success of industrial hubs should not be measured solely by the operations of major companies but also by the growth of smaller businesses and supporting industries around them.
According to him, large industrial firms can strengthen smaller enterprises through technical mentoring, supplier assessments, apprenticeship opportunities, access to testing facilities and transparent procurement arrangements.
He noted that such collaboration would enable local businesses to improve their capacity, meet industrial standards and participate more effectively in the manufacturing value chain.
At another session themed “Productivity Revolution for Growth,” NASCON Managing Director, Aderemi Saka, emphasised the need for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s manufacturing value chain, particularly the sourcing of raw materials, packaging materials and other essential production inputs.
Saka questioned whether local businesses had the capacity to supply the materials required by large manufacturers and called for deliberate efforts to develop domestic suppliers.
“Where do the raw materials come from? Do we have small companies that can produce them locally and add value to bigger businesses? Do we have the capacity to source raw materials on a large scale to ensure seamless production?” she asked.
She said improving local sourcing would help manufacturers secure reliable supplies, reduce production disruptions and create opportunities for smaller Nigerian businesses to grow alongside major industrial companies.
The NASCON chief also underscored the importance of developing the technical and professional skills needed by workers to meet the demands of an evolving industrial environment.
She explained that the Dangote Group, under the leadership of its President and Chief Executive, Aliko Dangote, remained committed to developing young Nigerian talent through structured training programmes and targeted capacity-building initiatives.
According to her, investing in human capital is essential to improving workplace efficiency, strengthening industrial capacity and sustaining long-term economic growth.
Dangote Industries Limited is among the sponsors of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, which brings together stakeholders from government, business and other sectors to discuss strategies for addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges and unlocking growth opportunities.
Earlier, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended the Dangote Group for its contributions to the Nigerian economy, highlighting the importance of private-sector investment in supporting economic development.
The calls by the two industry executives place industrial infrastructure, local content development, workforce training and stronger links between large manufacturers and smaller enterprises at the centre of discussions on Nigeria’s path towards sustainable economic growth.
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