The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) is betting on deeper collaboration with the 36 states to drive industrialization and exports. A Monday meeting with state commissioners signals a shift from policy rhetoric to joint execution under the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA), writes Our Anchorman, Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Meeting that Mattered: On Monday, 29 June 2026, the Forum of State Commissioners for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, Industry and Investment met with FMITI’s top brass in Abuja. The delegation was led by Lagos Commissioner, Hon. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem.
Why Now is Strategic: Minister Dr. Jumoke Oduwole called the visit “timely and strategic.” Her argument is simple: the Federal Government cannot hit its growth targets without state buy-in. Nigeria’s economic potential, she said, remains locked without that alignment.
The Policy Compass: FMITI’s roadmap is already written, according to Oduwole. Strategic output documents are guiding reforms to stimulate industrial growth, expand trade, and attract investment. The missing piece, she insists, is consistent engagement with sub-national governments.
Knowledge Sharing as Policy Glue: The Minister stressed that regular engagement and knowledge sharing with states will be central to policy implementation. Without it, federal programmes risk misalignment at the state level.
The $6bn Data Point: FMITI cited an “unprecedented” 11% growth in non-oil exports, valued at over $6 billion. The driver, Oduwole said, is MSMEs. That figure gives the Ministry a tangible win to sell to states skeptical of federal plans.
Export Readiness Goes Regional: To sustain momentum, the Federal Government has started regional export readiness and capacity-building programmes across geopolitical zones. The goal is to equip both businesses and state officials to capture export opportunities.
AfCFTA as the Lever: Oduwole framed the African Continental Free Trade Area as a catalyst for diversification and industrial transformation. Nigeria’s exports to Africa now exceed exports to any other region, she noted, pointing to intra-African trade leadership.
Continental Showcases Ahead: States were urged to join CANEX WKND 2026 and the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair, which Nigeria will host from 5–11 November 2027. “Every state has products, businesses and value chains that deserve continental visibility,” Oduwole said.
New Diplomatic Weight: Nigeria will chair the AfCFTA Council of Ministers. FMITI is casting this as a chance to shape Africa’s trade and industrial agenda, and states are expected to feed into that national position.
The State Minister’s View: Minister of State, Sen. John Owan Enoh, said Federal-State collaboration is “fundamental” to industrialization, trade and investment goals. He called the portfolio a strategic driver of economic development.
Policy Coordination Platform: Owan flagged the forthcoming National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment as key for coordination. For states, it is the main forum to align priorities with federal strategy.
Industrial Policy Returns: He emphasized implementing Nigeria’s first comprehensive Industrial Policy in decades. Flagship projects like Industrial Parks will need states, many of which control the land and assets.
Partnership, Not Command: “Most of the productive assets are located within the states,” Owan said. That makes collaboration essential for productivity, value addition, trade expansion, and investment attraction.
The Bureaucracy’s Take: Permanent Secretary Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu welcomed the Forum and reiterated FMITI’s commitment to sustained sub-national engagement. States, he said, translate policy into jobs, business support, and investment.
Five Collaboration Fronts: Isokpunwu listed priority areas: industrial cluster development, MSME growth, export promotion, investment facilitation, and value chain development. These are where federal and state resources must converge.
Enugu Council in View: The 17th National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment will hold in Enugu from 20–24 July 2026 under the theme “Enhancing Competitiveness… for Inclusive Growth and Global Market Integration.” Commissioners were urged to attend.
States Respond: Forum Chair Ambrose-Medebem said the engagement was more than courtesy. All 36 states, she affirmed, are committed to aligning with the Federal Government on industrialization, investment, enterprise development, and trade competitiveness. She pledged support for CANEX WKND 2026 and IATF 2027.
The Test Ahead: Both sides agreed to institutionalize regular engagement and strengthen coordination. The analysis is clear: FMITI has the narrative, data, and continental platforms. Whether Nigeria converts that into sustained industrial growth and more $6bn-level export wins now depends on how quickly states turn this alignment into action on the ground.
