The push for local content development and industrialisation across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas has received a major boost with the unveiling of an ambitious industrial cluster development roadmap.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council in partnership with Roseate Forte Nig Ltd and other stakeholders, aims to stimulate manufacturing, deepen local content development and accelerate economic growth.
The programme, known as the Industrial Cluster Development Programme (ICDP) through Local Content Development Beyond Oil (LCDBO), is structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.
According to the roadmap, the programme seeks to support Nigeria’s ambition of achieving a 1 trillion-dollar economy by 2030 and positioning the country among the world’s top 10 economies by 2035.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, said the programme would significantly activate economic activities nationwide.
“When you establish industrial clusters across the 774 local government areas, you activate the economy in a very significant way.
“This initiative will stimulate production, create employment opportunities and encourage inclusive industrial growth across communities,” Ike-Muonso said.
He explained that a 10-member National Steering Committee, chaired by the RMRDC Director-General and the National Coordinator, would supervise the implementation of the programme.
He added that a joint RMRDC-RFNL secretariat would also be established to coordinate implementation and nationwide monitoring.
The roadmap indicated that part of the implementation strategy includes securing the support of President Bola Tinubu for the establishment of a Presidential Committee on the 774 Industrial Clusters Development Programme.
It also includes plans for seed funding support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The National Coordinator of the initiative, Dr Lanre Johnson, said the programme was designed to transform every local government area into an industrial and economic hub.
Johnson said each industrial hub would accommodate thousands of clusters, with MSMEs accounting for the larger share of participants.
“The programme will enable the country to transform every local government into an industrial hub with clusters that will stimulate production and economic activities.
“One MSME under the initiative is projected to generate over N80 million annually, while the programme will also encourage women and youth participation in industrial development,” he said.
He noted that the industrial hubs would be replicated across all 774 local government areas with the support of the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, relevant ministries, departments and agencies, organised private sector operators and development institutions.
Johnson added that the initiative was targeting 100 billion dollars in investments by 2030 through the Special Industrial Cluster Investment Programme (SICIP).
According to him, funding sources will include equity contributions, intervention funds, sovereign bonds, blended finance, counterpart funding and investments from local and foreign partners.
The roadmap disclosed that implementation had commenced with the Southwest Leather Processing Clusters in Lagos in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology and other stakeholders.
The programme is also expected to promote entrepreneurship development, skills acquisition, export promotion, policy reforms and the “One Product, One Local Government” initiative.
Stakeholders said the initiative could significantly enhance Nigeria’s industrial capacity, create jobs, strengthen regional economies and position the country as a major manufacturing hub in Africa.
The Special Industrial Cluster Investment Programme (SICIP 3.0) is scheduled for Nov. 25, 2026.
