Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on the Federal Government to prioritise industrialisation, technical skills development and local manufacturing to address unemployment and stimulate Nigeria’s economic growth.
Jonathan made the call on Wednesday at the unveiling of a tricycle production facility established and operated by Zeetin Engineering Factory in the Idu Industrial Area of Abuja.
He said Nigeria’s large population, particularly its youthful demographic, presented an opportunity to build a productive economy through investments in factories, technology and technical education.
The former president urged the government to transform Nigeria into a major production hub rather than rely heavily on imported goods or depend solely on foreign investors to drive economic development.
“With a population of over 200 million people, and young people above 65 per cent of the population, it is a huge number. So we must convert the country into a factory,” Jonathan said.
According to him, expanding local manufacturing would create employment opportunities, stimulate economic activities and strengthen the country’s capacity to produce goods for domestic consumption and export.
Jonathan also cited manufacturing economies such as China, arguing that their success was driven not only by cheap labour but also by the availability of skilled workers across different sectors of production and technology.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to invest in technical education and develop the expertise required to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
“The world is driven by technology. It is driven by the brains of human beings. And we must develop our best brains,” he said.
Jonathan commended Zeetin Engineering and its founder, Robert Azibaola, for investing in local manufacturing, describing the initiative as an example of the technological entrepreneurship needed to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.
He said investments in domestic production could help unlock the potential of Nigeria’s young population while reducing dependence on imported products.
The former president’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about job creation, economic diversification and the need to expand Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
