Nigeria’s industrialization fails to gather steam after 65 years

After 65 years of independence, Nigeria’s over-dependence on imports has stalled its transformation from an agrarian economy to an industrial one.

After gaining independence in 1960, the Nigerian government implemented the Import Substitution Policy to curb import dependency, create jobs, and preserve foreign exchange, marking a strategic shift towards industrialisation.

This was seen as a diametrically superb policy that was targeted at transforming the country from an agrarian to an industrial economy.

However, the policy failed because early policy-makers believed that protectionism was a cure-all for the country’s fledgling economy.

Since then, past governments have adopted various policies aimed at reducing over-dependence on imports, creating a high number of local jobs and saving foreign exchange. Some of the policies are the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree, Structural Adjustment Policy, Small and Medium Industries Equity Investment Scheme, National Industrial Revolution Plan, National Automotive Policy and the Export Expansion Grant.

But lack of implementation and continuity in the policies has slowed the progress of the country’s industrial revolution.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), growth in the manufacturing sector grew to 1.6 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 1.28 percent in the same period in 2024.

Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, director-general of the Raw Materials, Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said that Nigeria must reduce its dependence on imported raw materials by at least 60 percent within the next five years if it is to become an industrial nation.

‘Over 70 per cent of manufacturing inputs used in our economy are imported. These data points expose a structural weakness,’ Ike-Muonso said in August at MAN’s equipment expo in Lagos.

‘We export our raw materials in their crude form, import in refined quality, and surrender jobs and value offshore before we have even begun,’ he said.

He argued that the country has the potential to industrialise rapidly, with over 120 commercially viable solid minerals, vast agricultural resources, and a large youthful population.

But Ike-Muonso reiterated that what is missing is ‘strategic coordination, bold implementation, and technology-backed commitment.’

While industrialisation has been a cornerstone of transformation in developed nations, Nigeria still lack the bustling facilities and vibrant industrial landscapes that characterise strong economies, despite its significant manufacturing capability and promising trajectories.

The availability of adequate infrastructure is also a major determinant of the success of every country’s industrial sector; however, Nigeria does not have adequate infrastructure to grow businesses, especially developed transport systems such as roads and railways connected to the nation’s seaports.

From Agbara industrial cluster in Ogun to Apapa in Lagos, roads are bad or inaccessible. Access roads to Apapa and Tin Can ports – Nigeria’s two main ports have continued to be nightmares for manufacturers and exporters. It is impossible to talk about infrastructure without discussing power. Energy is a key element of the production process. Nigeria’s inability to supply and distribute sufficient electricity has left businesses at the mercy of generators powered by diesel and petrol, whose prices have surged in recent months.

This raises the production costs for manufacturers significantly and forecloses their chances of competing with international peers.

According to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), manufacturers spend 40 percent of their total production cost on generating energy for their businesses.

Nigerian manufacturers suffered from a long-running shortage of foreign exchange and a sharp devaluation in 2024, which made doing business in the country complicated.

In 2024, the naira lost 40.9 percent of its value against the dollar in the official market despite notable growth in external reserves within the period, according to BusinessDay analysis.

The floating of the naira increased the official exchange rate from N463.38/$ on June 9 in 2023, to N1,500/$ as of October 3 in 2025.

The high cost of dollars and the implementation of a 7.5 percent value added tax on diesel imports have pushed its pump price to as high as N1,200 per litre.

The number of registered manufacturing firms with the MAN dropped from 4,850 in the early 1980s to 2,000 in 2010. From 2017-2024, more than 50 manufacturing companies have shut down.

Some of them are Surest Foam Limited, Mufex, Framan Industries, MZM Continental, Nipol Industries, Moak Industries, Stone Industries, Procter and Gamble, and GlaxoSmithKline, among others.

Regulation is a major issue hurting the sector. In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, agencies of the government work at cross-purposes.

For instance, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) does not accept tests done by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and vice versa. Worse still, their responsibilities overlap. Similarly, local or state governments do not accept agreements by the Federal Government, particularly when it has to do with money or taxes.

Nigeria is cash-strapped due to low oil prices and high debt servicing. This is hurting the country’s capacity to fund projects and critical sectors.

However, the pool of funds from the CBN and development finance institutions is stashed in banks, which are sometimes unwilling to lend to businesses due to what they call the ‘high-risk level’ of lending to businesses in Nigeria.

Consequently, several manufacturers have complained that they cannot access most funds advertised by the government.

While some manufacturers have accessed funding from the CBN, Bank of Industry and others, however, the funds are not easily accessible by all players.

’Chaos in the Ring’: Adamu hints at staging heavyweight title fight in Nigeria

Dr. Ezekiel Adamu, CEO of Balmoral Group Promotions, has revealed plans to host a major heavyweight title fight in December 2025.

Dr Adamu disclosed after the successful staging of Africa’s biggest boxing spectacle, ‘Chaos in the Ring’, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on October 1,

The historic Independence Day boxing night, organised by Balmoral Group Promotions in partnership with Amir Khan’s AK Promotions, showcased world-class action and positioned Nigeria as a growing hub for elite boxing.

In the main event, American cruiserweight Brandon Glanton stunned fans with a brutal sixth-round knockout of 2012 Olympian Marcus Browne in one of the evening’s most gripping contests.

There was also a special homecoming for Nigerian-born British boxer and former Commonwealth champion Dan Azeez, who delighted supporters with a fourth-round TKO win over Sulaimon Adeosun in his first-ever fight on Nigerian soil.

Speaking after the event, Dr. Adamu hailed the night as a milestone for African boxing and hinted at even bigger plans ahead. ‘Nigeria is the home of heavyweights. I know they say Queensbury is the home of heavyweights, but really, Nigeria is the true home,’ an elated Adamu declared.

He pointed to the country’s rich ties to the division like Moses Itauma, David Adeleye, Lawrence Okolie, Anthony Joshua, and even Deontay Wilder, who has Nigerian roots, as proof that Nigeria has long been central to heavyweight boxing.

‘You have just seen what Taiwo Agbaje has achieved. It shows we have another champion ready to rise, and we are going to make it happen,’ Adamu said after the fight night.

The Balmoral Promotions boss went further, directly challenging top Nigerian-bred heavyweights to headline a landmark fight on home soil.

‘I’m challenging these guys, whether it’s Moses Itauma, David Adeleye, or Lawrence Okolie, we must have a proper heavyweight fight here in Nigeria. And we are going to make it happen.’

Adamu confirmed that the company’s next show is scheduled for December 19, with the fight card to be announced in the coming weeks.

Youth-led protests shake Madagascar as president vows dialogue but refuses to resign

Andry Rajoelina, Madagascar’s president has promised to ‘listen and find solutions’ to the mounting problems facing the island nation, but stopped short of bowing to protesters’ demands that he step down.

For nearly two weeks, the country has been gripped by youth-led demonstrations – the biggest wave of unrest in years – drawing inspiration from ‘Gen Z’ protest movements in Kenya and Nepal. What began as anger over worsening water shortages and crippling power cuts in the capital has spread into broader calls for accountability in a country long dogged by poverty and corruption. The United Nations estimates that at least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the early days of the protests, though the government disputes those figures. Security forces have repeatedly fired tear gas to disperse crowds, as fresh demonstrations resumed in Antananarivo on Friday following a one-day pause.

Rajoelina, speaking in a nationally broadcast address on Facebook, urged restraint.

‘No one benefits from the destruction of the nation. I am here, I stand here ready to listen, ready to extend a helping hand, and above all, ready to bring solutions to Madagascar,’ he said.

The president also suggested, without offering evidence, that some politicians were attempting to exploit the unrest and had even considered a coup while he was in New York last week for the UN General Assembly. Earlier this week, Rajoelina dismissed his government in a bid to ease tensions. The move has done little to calm anger among protesters who say decades of poor governance have left one of the world’s most resource-rich countries mired in deep poverty.

Despite vast reserves of minerals, fertile farmland and extraordinary biodiversity, Madagascar remains one of the poorest nations globally. The World Bank says per capita income has fallen by 45 percent in real terms since independence in 1960, blaming the decline on entrenched elites who control the economy, a lack of competition and widespread corruption. Rajoelina himself is no stranger to political upheaval. He first came to power in 2009 after leading mass protests that toppled his predecessor, before winning elections years later. Now, he faces a generation of young people deploying the same tactic against him.

‘Criticism of existing problems does not necessarily have to be expressed in the streets; it should be done through dialogue,’ the president argued.

But with protesters demanding nothing short of his resignation, and with frustration over decades of decline running deep, Madagascar’s path out of the current crisis remains uncertain.

Treasury grapples with massive February debt service costs

When he appeared before Parliament in June, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi lamented the high public debt service costs incurred in January, February, May and July, stating that they were causing cash flow constraints for the exchequer.

January and July have stood out in terms of debt servicing for the last six years due to repayments of about Sh60 billion for the standard gauge railway loan to China.

However, rising debt service costs for February that are now in excess of Sh100 billion have also become a concern for the Treasury, mainly tied to large outstanding stocks of Eurobonds and domestic bonds totalling Sh1.66 trillion.

These debt charges, according to the National Treasury, put the government in a tight fiscal spot, given that it also needs to fund other recurrent costs, such as salaries for public servants amid persistent revenue collection shortfalls.

‘There are some months which are very bad, especially where we are repaying loans. We have challenges in January and February, and May and July because we repay debt, capitation to schools of more than Sh50 billion in January.and remember every month we pay Sh80 billion in salaries, yet revenue collection in a month is averaging about Sh200 billion,’ Mr Mbadi told MPs in June.

‘Constraints would be on cash flow challenges especially where funding is from the government and where we fail to meet revenue targets by Kenya Revenue Authority.’

The February issuances are now emerging as key targets for the Treasury’s early refinancing plans through bond buybacks and switch bonds, in order to spread the service costs to other months.

Last week, the Treasury completed the buyback of a $1 billion (Sh129.23 billion), 10-year Eurobond issued in February 2018. The bond was sold as part of a $2 billion issuance, which also included a 30-year tranche maturing in 2048.

The buyback is being financed using the proceeds from the sale of another $1.5 billion paper sold on Friday at an average rate of 8.7 percent on two tranches.

Overall, the government has $5 billion (Sh646.2 billion) worth of Eurobonds on its books that were issued in February, meaning that their semi-annual coupons are paid out in February and August of every year until maturity.

These papers, which account for two thirds of the country’s total stock of $7.41 billion outstanding Eurobonds, cost the government $221.9 million (Sh28.7 billion) in semi-annual interest charges.

World Bank data shows that other external debt obligations that fell due in February this year totalled $290 million (Sh37.5 billion). They included payments of about Sh21 billion to the Trade and Development Bank (TDB), Sh9.3 billion to the World Bank, Sh2.6 billion to the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Sh2.2 billion to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

At the same time, the State is spending Sh70.9 billion every February and August in interest payments to holders of Sh1.013 trillion Treasury bonds that were issued in the two months.

The securities include an 8.5-year infrastructure bond (IFB) issued in February 2024 at a rate of 18.46 percent, that has an outstanding value of Sh240.3 billion, a 19-year IFB sold in February 2022 at 12.97 percent with an outstanding value of Sh194 billion, and a Sh103.4 billion 10-year bond that was issued in August 2016 at an interest rate of 15.04 percent.

According to its recently published annual borrowing plan, the Treasury has lined up the 10-year 2016 paper for a switch bond issuance on October 13. If successful, this will transfer the outstanding value to a new bond with a maturity period of between 10 and 15 years, thereby sparing the government from making a bullet payment of Sh103.4 billion in August 2026.

Baloobhai Patel buys extra Sh626 million stake in Absa Bank

Billionaire investor Baloobhai Patel has bought an additional 28.4 million shares of Absa Bank Kenya with a current market value of Sh625.9 million, entrenching his position as the bank’s top individual shareholder.

Mr Patel bought the shares in the eight months ended August, during which time his stake increased to 1.72 percent, up from 1.2 percent in December 2024.

Regulatory filings show his ownership increased to 93.4 million shares worth Sh2 billion based on Absa’s closing price of Sh22 on Thursday.

This was up from the 65 million shares he held in December 2024.

The bank shares have rallied by 16.7 percent since the beginning of the year, with investors attracted by the lender’s higher dividend payout and profit growth.

The bank has been increasing its dividend payout per share by Sh0.2 each in each of the last four years, thanks to improved earnings.

Last year, the bank paid a dividend of Sh1.75 per share, meaning Mr Patel was entitled to a dividend of more than Sh113 million before a five percent withholding tax.

Absa maintained an interim dividend of Sh0.2 per share when it announced its results for the half year to June 2025.

The interim dividend is payable on or before October 15 to shareholders who were on its books as of September 19.

State agencies’ scores tail off

The country’s critical information infrastructure agencies and regulatory agencies improved their cybersecurity scores this year, while government agencies recorded lower scores.

For critical information infrastructure agencies, their average score increased to 89% in 2025, up from 83% last year, while regulatory agencies posted a score of 91%, rising from 85% in 2024, according to Thailand’s cyberthreat risk assessment conducted by the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA).

The average for government agencies dropped to 59%, from 65%.

This year 298 agencies, representing most state departments, participated in the self-assessment programme, of which 191 agencies submitted assessment results.

AVM Jadet Khuhakonkit, assistant to the NCSA secretary-general, said the agency is accelerating the elevation of cybersecurity threat protection standards to ensure Thailand is a stable and trustworthy nation.

AVM Jadet attributed the decline for government agencies to the increase in participation among agencies from various sectors this year.

This dip means there are significant cybersecurity gaps that need to be addressed, he said, especially in the areas of risk and vulnerability management, and cyberthreat response plan development and testing.

Other areas requiring attention include business continuity and crisis communications plan development, oversight of outsourced service providers, information asset registry development, threats detected, and risk trends.

NCSA and Mahidol University also identified the top three threats in Thailand: exploitation of internal vulnerabilities, unauthorised access to systems or data, and disruption or denial of service.

Threats are increasing from ransomware, supply chain attacks, cloud misconfiguration and phishing, demonstrating the need for Thai agencies to urgently address vulnerabilities and strengthen preventative and proactive measures, said AVM Jadet.

He said one approach to strengthen cybersecurity would be to invest in the existing National Threat Intelligence Platform, a national cyberthreat intelligence centre.

The platform started operations last year and collects, analyses, and shares data from all sectors with related agencies, in accordance with international standards.

“The platform enables critical infrastructure organisations and government agencies to respond to threats quickly and accurately,” said AVM Jadet.

The platform is operated by the Thailand Computer Emergency Response Team under NCSA’s umbrella.

D.O. to perform in Bangkok after dropping album

Exo all-rounder Doh Kyung-soo, better known as D.O., is scheduled to perform for Thai fans at his solo concert “2025 Doh Kyung-soo Asia Concert Tour “. Organised by GMM Show, the concert will take place at Impact Arena on Oct 11.

D.O.’s Asia concert tour is being held after he dropped his first full-length solo album Bliss in June. The album features the lead single Sing Along! — a fresh new vibe showcasing his versatility — which he co-wrote with well-known composer Zico. In September, D.O. released a track with pop-rock influence titled Dumb in which he collaborated with rapper Penomeco. Bliss offers various genres including ballad, rap, pop, bossa nova and chill lo-fi.

In addition to songs from Bliss, fans can enjoy songs from his other mini albums such as Popcorn and Simple Joys from Blossom, I’m Gonna Love You and It’s Love from Empathy, as well as Exo’s medley including First Snow, Don’t Go, Growl and Love Me Right.

The organiser GMM Show claims that Thai fans can expect an unforgettable night since the venue will feature a perfect stage setup so that fans can clearly see D.O. and soak in every second of the concert magic. The production will include amazing lights, sound and effects.

Tickets cost 2,900, 3,900, 4,900, 5,500, 6,000 and 6,500 baht and can be purchased at allticket.com and at Counter Service at all 7-Eleven branches in Thailand. A credit card installation plan is also available.

Keng Harit: From rural Phayao to Thailand’s hottest shaman

Harit ‘Keng’ Buayoi is a model and rising actor who stars in the hit Boys’ Love supernatural thriller Khemjira The Series (2025) alongside Napatsakorn ‘Namping’ Pingmuang. He first gained attention for his supporting roles in The Paradise of Thorns (2024) and from a viral clip of him as a ‘handsome Thai teacher’.

Teacher goes viral

Keng grew up in rural Phayao and graduated with a degree in Thai from the University of Phayao.

In his freshman year, he started dreaming about joining the entertainment industry and sought out opportunities, from modelling to competitions. He even put his studies on hold and moved to Bangkok, but the Covid-19 situation eventually forced him back home. Thinking his path was to become a teacher, he trained at a community school.

But then in 2021, an unassuming TikTok video changed everything. The internet discovered the ‘handsome teacher’ and he went viral overnight.

‘Jingna’ role changes outlookThat attention opened doors. DomundiTV noticed him, and GDH later cast him as Jingna in The Paradise of Thorns (2024) starring alongside Jeff Satur and Engfa Waraha.

Playing a durian farmer searching for stability, Keng connected deeply with the role.

Like Jingna, he came from an ethnic minority and once believed life was bound by fate. ‘But after playing him,’ Keng reflected in The Momentum, ‘I’ve learned to push beyond my limits. If I succeed, my family will live comfortably.’

Shining as a shaman

His biggest breakthrough came in 2025 with Khemjira The Series, where he starred as Master Paran, a gifted young shaman protecting Khemjira from a deadly family curse.

The series became iQIYI’s most-watched Thai drama worldwide, and the ‘handsome shaman’ hashtag racked up over 2.4 million mentions on social media.

Bridging gaps as an actor

Keng’s choice of roles often explores identity, from portraying ethnic minorities to LGBTQ+ characters.

As a Tai Lue actor, he hopes to raise awareness of his heritage. ‘Being a minority and reaching this point makes me proud,’ he said.

He also admitted initial hesitation in taking LGBTQ+ roles, as his hometown remains conservative. But after his family accepted it, others began to understand too. ‘At least my work helps bridge the gap between old beliefs and new ones,’ he shared with The Cloud.

From a rural village in Phayao to starring in Thailand’s most-watched series, Keng Harit’s journey is proof that perseverance and openness can turn limitations into new possibilities.

Be a Hero with the Fred Force 10

The idea of braiding sailing cables, fixed at both ends with rivets, and shaping a gold clasp like a marine carabiner led to the creation of the Force 10 bracelet in 1966.

Maison Fred has enriched the interchangeable buckle of its iconic jewellery with a 0.5 carat diamond in the exclusive Hero Cut with a diamond pavé amplifying the radiance of the central stone.

Launched in 2022, the Fred Hero Cut is inspired by the contours of both a sailboat and a shield. Recognised and certified by the Gemological Institute of America, its brilliance is fully revealed in each of its 36 facets.

Thanks to the meticulous faceting, the Fred Hero Cut ensures the diamond is of absolutely flawless clarity without any shadows.

The number of facets is a nod to 1936, when founder Fred Samuel — the Contemporary Creative Jeweller — opened his first boutique in Paris.

As his French parents emigrated to Argentina, he was born in Buenos Aires on Aug 3, 1908. During his childhood, he enjoyed holidaying in the seaside town of Mar del Plata, and after returning to France he fell in love with the Côte d’Azur.

His passion for the sea is reflected in the jewellery designs, such as the Force 10, which indicates a storm when referencing the Beaufort Wind Scale.

Synonymous with endurance, strength and will power, the new Force 10 bracelet in a large model comes in two versions with a steel cable and white gold buckle or both elements in pink gold.

Thai fuel prices to fall by B0.50 a litre

Retail fuel prices are being reduced by 50 satang per litre from 5am on Saturday as part of a series of government measures to ease the cost of living.

The Fuel Fund executive committee on Friday approved a reduction of the oil fund levy on diesel by 50 satang per litre, and sought cooperation from oil traders nationwide to pass the savings on to drivers, according to Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon.

As a result, the retail price of diesel at petrol stations in Greater Bangkok is expected to drop from 31.94 baht to 31.44 baht per litre. Prices of all types of petrol and gasohol are expected to be cut by the same amount.

Mr Auttapol said that although the levy collection was reduced, the Oil Fuel Fund’s financial position has shown steady improvement thanks to falling global oil prices, which have eased the pressure on diesel contributions.

As of last week, the fund posted a deficit of 17.8 billion baht, comprising a positive oil account of 24.4 billion and a negative liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) account of 42.3 billion baht.

Prices of LPG, or cooking gas, have been subsidised for years, sometimes by a substantial amount below the market price. However, the current price of 423 baht per 15-kilogramme cylinder is higher than the prevailing market price of 385 baht, so some money has gone back into the fund to reduce its deficit.

Energy officials are expected to review LPG prices and settle on a new rate that is closer to the market price in the near future.

The reduction in the contribution rate for diesel is expected to reduce the fund’s diesel revenue to roughly 31 million baht per day, from 61 million previously. Gasoline revenue is expected to remain steady at around 93.8 million baht per day.