NIGERIA – The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that the new UNIDO Country Program (2018-2022) will help Nigeria to achieve Inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, said this during a partnership round table meeting organised by his ministry and the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, in collaboration with UNIDO, in Abuja.
The event was attended several high-level delegates including; the governors of Abia and Kebbi states, members of the diplomatic community; representatives from various states of the federation; local and international finance institutions and the organised private sector.
Adebayo revealed that the new UNIDO Nigeria Country Programme is aligned with Nigeria’s current economic and industrialisation priorities and agenda.
“We want to commend UNIDO for its sustained efforts in supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation drive,” Adebayo said.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria recognises UNIDO as a reliable partner which has continued to support the country’s efforts towards achieving inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
We believe that the full implementation of the new Country Programme will help Nigeria to achieve inclusive and sustainable industrial development,” Adebayo affirmed.
The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, United Nations System in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, stressed the importance of industrialisation as a critical tool for poverty reduction, job creation and economic prosperity.
Kalon said, “The trajectory for inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria and Africa can only be possible with industrialisation.”
The federal government and UNIDO signed the US$60 million country programme for Nigeria in 2018.
The program is meant to cover industrial governance, research and statistics, and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises development programmes.
The programme also covers Special Economic Zones (SEZs), industrial parks and private sector development programme innovation, as well as science and technology management programmes.
It is the second in the series of initiatives showing UNIDO’s support for Nigeria, and is aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s drive towards inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
