Former Senate President Pius Anyim yesterday said that economic recovery and industrial development are only possible through the protection of the local market.
The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said the local productive base should be expanded and strengthened.
He said: “There is no gainsaying that every successful local productive economy not only enjoys policy protection but also operates within a competitive production environment.
“If we must expect a quick turnaround in local production, we must protect our market and enhance our environment. No productive economy thrives without policy protection and a competitive production environment,” he said.
Anyim spoke in Abuja at the 4th Annual Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN).
The theme of the conference was: “Boosting Nigeria’s productive capacity for national growth and self-reliance: The role of leadership, industry, and innovation in policy implementation.”
He argued that no economy could thrive without deliberate efforts to safeguard its domestic production base,
The former President called for a national reawakening on patriotism and shared vision, adding that there is no magic wand to reverse decades of economic decline without sacrifice and a united resolve.
He stressed: “We must accept that our national institutions and sense of patriotism have been weakened,
“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.”
Anyim said patriotism, policy consistency, and institutional commitment are essential ingredients for reviving the industrial base and achieving sustainable national growth.
Read Also: Nigeria vs. Benin: Madugu dreams 2027 World Cup with Super Falcons
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 ex-Senate President attributed the collapse past efforts at industrialisation to past military interventions and the oil boom.
He said: “The collapse of past efforts was not for lack of understanding of their benefits, especially in job creation and economic stability.
“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.”
Anyim also attributed the collapse to “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.”
He called urged Nigerians to recommit to a shared vision of national renewal built on patriotism and accountability.
Ayim added: “For any meaningful respite to be achieved in record time, we need the combined efforts of our leaders and the people to redirect our nation on the path of patriotism and national aspiration. Without this, no government’s industrial policy can succeed.”
FFDGN’s National Chairman and former Deputy Governor of Abia State Dr. Chris Akomas noted that nation-building is not a sprint, but a continuous process.
He explained that the event was not just another gathering of minds but a reminder that the destiny of the nation rests not in the hands of a few, but in the collective resolve of all citizens.
Akomas described the conference as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and practical recommendations aimed at accelerating industrial productivity, fostering innovation, and ensuring effective policy implementation,
He said: “Nation-building is not a sprint; it is a continuous process. At the heart of it lies one indispensable ingredient a shared vision. This is the story of the FFDGN.”
Akomas added: “Nigeria is blessed with immense human and natural resources. Our challenge has never been the absence of potential but how to harness and translate it into tangible progress and improved quality of life for our people.”
He called for a grand coalition of purpose where leadership, industry, innovation, and civic responsibility converge to drive sustainable progress.
Akomas said: “Our leaders must embody integrity and foresight; our industries must be productive and globally competitive; our innovators must be empowered to create solutions; and every citizen must embrace patriotism, discipline, and a shared vision for national development.”
Former Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamako commended the group for its evolution into a respected institution for policy dialogue.
Wamako, who represents Sokoto North in the Senate, was represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi.
He said: ” In 1999, I was part of a team that attempted to form an umbrella body for former deputy governors. 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 group’s initiatives and promised to champion legislative actions that would strengthen sub-national development.
Wamako said: “We must design a shared vision and work plan to build trust and enhance development at all levels. With the calibre of resource persons here today, actionable solutions will emerge to revitalize Nigeria’s industrial base.”
FFDGN’s Director-General, Dr. Kenneth Ibe-Kalu hailed the unprecedented growth and development currently being recorded within the organization.
Ibe-Kalu said that the group has never experienced such steady progress and robust advancement in all areas since its inception.
He noted that the group has also strengthened internal unity, leading to increased collaboration with serving deputy governors, who now serve as Associate Members and have been instrumental in supporting the Forum’s initiatives.
Ibe-Kalu disclosed that the group has fulfilled one of the key resolutions from last year’s conference by establishing a Peer Review Group to monitor the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said Poland remains a friend of Nigeria and will continue to collaborate in areas of trade, innovation, and capacity development to strengthen Nigeria’s productive base.
The event brought together serving and former public officials, diplomats, scholars, and industry leaders.
At the conference were former Deputy Governors Azeem Gbolarunmi (Oyo State), Mukthar Shagari (Sokoto), Philip Shuaibu (Edo) and Lasisi Oluboyo (Ondo).
Other speakers agreed that rebuilding Nigeria’s economy requires patriotism, innovation, and leadership built on shared national aspirations.
