Ex-Senate President, Anyim advocates renewed commitment to drive Nigeria’s industrialization

……As former deputy governors, poland rally support for productive Nigeria

By Chris Ochayi

The former President of the Senate, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has advocated for renewed commitment towards reviving Nigeria’s industrial base and achieving sustainable national growth and development

Senator Anyim, who spoke at the 4th Annual Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN) held in Abuja on Wednesday, also emphasized on renewed spirit of patriotism, policy consistency, and institutional commitment to drive the nation’s industrialization.

Anyim, who was a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, while speaking further at the conference with theme; “Boosting Nigeria’s Productive Capacity for National Growth and Self-Reliance: The Role of Leadership, Industry, and Innovation in Policy Implementation,” said the country’s past industrial successes collapsed due to disunity, corruption, and policy inconsistency.

Accounting to him , “I am greatly delighted to be part of this 4th Annual Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors, which, as always, focuses on topical and critical elements in nation-building,” he said.

“Let me start by saying that of all former national officeholders’ fora, the Former Deputy Governors’ Forum appears to have become the most focused, most productive, and most impactful in contributing to our collective efforts in nation-building.”

He congratulated the leadership of the Forum for its steadfastness and patriotic commitment, noting that the discussions around productive growth and self-reliance are timely and strategic to Nigeria’s economic transformation.

He recalled that Nigeria’s earlier attempts at industrialization from the First National Development Plan (1962–1968) to the Indigenization Decree of 1977 had laid solid foundations that once made industrial clusters like Bompai (Kano), Kakuri (Kaduna), Onitsha (Anambra), Aba (Abia) and Ikeja (Lagos) vibrant manufacturing hubs.

“The collapse of these efforts was not for lack of understanding of their benefits, especially in job creation and economic stability,” Anyim lamented. “The military coups of 1966 dislocated our sense of nationalism and values, replacing patriotism with ethnicity and nepotism. This weakened the rule of law and fostered recklessness in public office.”

He further identified the oil boom of the 1970s, which shifted consumer preference to foreign goods, and Nigeria’s signing of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement in 1994, as major setbacks that turned the nation into a dumping ground for imported products.

“If we must expect a quick turnaround in local production, we must protect our market and enhance our environment,” Anyim said. “No productive economy thrives without policy protection and a competitive production environment.”

He called for a “national reawakening” built on patriotism and shared vision, warning that there is “no magic bullet” to reverse decades of economic decline without sacrifice and a united resolve.

“We must accept that our national institutions and sense of patriotism have been weakened,” he cautioned. “There is no simple fix but with collective resolve and a renewed determination, we can rebuild like China, Singapore, and Vietnam did. It can work for us if we commit to it.”

Former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto North, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamako, represented by Hon. Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment, commended the Forum’s evolution into a respected institution for policy dialogue.

“In 1999, I was part of a team that attempted to form an umbrella body for former deputy governors,” Dingyadi recounted. “Our principals truncated it then. Today, I am delighted to see that the vision has not only been revived but has become impactful.”

He pledged his full support for the Forum’s init