By Abubakar Yunusa
The Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Olakunle Alake, and the Managing Director of NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Aderemi Saka, have called for more investment in industrial hubs and value addition to drive economic growth and boost local manufacturing.
They spoke at the CEO Forum of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Alake, who was represented by Isa Yusuf Aruwa, said the Dangote Group is promoting industrial hubs as catalysts for growth, citing the proposed Dangote Olokola Industrial Hub in Ondo State.
He said co-locating businesses helps achieve economies of scale, reduce costs, create jobs and facilitate knowledge sharing.
“An integrated industrial hub offers the opportunity to address several constraints together: energy, logistics, manufacturing infrastructure and access to markets. But the wider economic benefits will depend on how deliberately we connect the investment to the surrounding economy,” he said.
He added that the success of a hub would be measured by the productive businesses that grow around it, noting that large companies can support smaller firms through mentoring, supplier assessments, apprenticeships, access to testing and structured procurement.
In her remarks on ‘Productivity Revolution for Growth’, Saka called for a review of the manufacturing value chain, especially sourcing of raw materials, packaging inputs and other essentials.
“Where do the raw materials come from? Do we have small companies that can produce them locally and add value to bigger businesses? Do we have the capacity to source raw materials on a large scale to ensure seamless production?” she asked.
Saka stressed the need to equip workers with technical and professional skills to drive productivity, adding that the Dangote Group under President/Chief Executive Aliko Dangote remains committed to nurturing young talent through structured training and capacity-building.
Dangote Industries Limited is one of the sponsors of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier commended the group for its contributions to the economy.
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