Rabiu made the call on Monday while delivering a keynote address at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja. He said Nigeria must move beyond supplying raw materials to global markets and become a country that manufactures products for domestic use and export.
He cited the cement industry as an example of how investment and supportive policies can reduce import dependence. According to him, Nigeria previously imported almost 80 per cent of the cement it consumed but has since developed domestic production capacity and become an exporter.
Rabiu urged the government and private sector to replicate this progress in agriculture, food processing and other manufacturing industries.
He also highlighted BUA Group’s ongoing investments in flour milling, pasta, noodles, edible oils, rice milling and animal-feed production. The projects are expected to be completed in 2027 and could double the group’s production capacity.
However, he identified expensive borrowing, inadequate infrastructure and policy uncertainty as major barriers to industrial expansion. He called for greater access to long-term financing and more consistent policies to encourage investment.
Rabiu said Nigeria must also improve transport links, ports and cross-border trade systems to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area and expand exports across the continent.
Your reaction
Story guide
Understand this story
Summary
BUA Group founder Abdul Samad Rabiu has urged Nigeria to strengthen local manufacturing, process more raw materials domestically and expand exports, saying sustainable prosperity depends on turning the country’s resources into finished products. BUA Group Founder and Executive Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu has called on Nigeria to reduce its dependence on imported finished goods by expanding domestic manufacturing,...
Key takeaways
- BUA Group founder Abdul Samad Rabiu has urged Nigeria to strengthen local manufacturing, process more raw materials domestically and expand exports, saying sustainable prosperity depends on turning the country’s resources into finished products.
- BUA Group Founder and Executive Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu has called on Nigeria to reduce its dependence on imported finished goods by expanding domestic manufacturing, processing raw materials locally and increasing exports.Rabiu made the call on Monday while delivering a keynote address at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.
- He said Nigeria must move beyond supplying raw materials to global markets and become a country that manufactures products for domestic use and export.He cited the cement industry as an example of how investment and supportive policies can reduce import dependence.
Article FAQ
What is this story about?
BUA Group founder Abdul Samad Rabiu has urged Nigeria to strengthen local manufacturing, process more raw materials domestically and expand exports, saying sustainable prosperity depends on turning the country’s resources into finished products. BUA Group Founder and Executive Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu has called on Nigeria to reduce its dependence on imported finished goods by expanding domestic manufacturing,...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 27, 2026
