President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that Dangote Cement paid about N900 billion in taxes in 2025, underscoring the Federal Government’s pride in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
The President made the remarks at the unveiling of the Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025, noting that the Dangote Group generates more energy for its operations than many Nigerian states—an achievement he described as a plus for Nigeria and the African continent.
Represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said the government appreciates manufacturers who invest in self-generated power and remain committed to national development. He stressed that to compete in the current wave of industrial revolution, Nigeria must put in place world-class infrastructure.
The President charged ministries, departments and agencies to ensure speedy implementation of the policy, saying it comes with a clear execution framework. He noted that policies often fail not at conception but at execution, adding that Nigeria would no longer tolerate fragmented value chains, high production costs, infrastructure gaps and weak coordination between government and industry.
“This administration will measure success not by documents produced, but by factories opening at dawn, jobs created, exports leaving our ports, and value retained in our economy,” Tinubu said, describing the policy as a roadmap for unlocking value across sectors.
He explained that the policy prioritises strategic sectors where Nigeria has comparative and competitive advantages, promotes value-chain development to shift from exporting raw materials to finished goods, integrates micro, small and medium enterprises into industrial growth, and aligns infrastructure and energy with industrial ambition.
Meanwhile, President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, praised the policy as progressive and expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic direction. He predicted further strengthening of the naira, saying it could trade at N1,000 to $100 in 2026, citing improved foreign exchange stability and reforms.
Dangote emphasised the need to protect indigenous industries, warning that without protection, local manufacturing would struggle to thrive. He added that Nigeria must end the cycle of exporting raw materials and importing finished goods, noting that the groundwork for real industrial growth was already being laid.
Other stakeholders, including the United Nations and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, welcomed the policy, stressing that its success would depend on disciplined and effective implementation to drive competitiveness, job creation and inclusive economic growth.