Nigeria’s production reality – Beyond “Imports everything” narrative

By Adebamiwa Olugbenga Michael

Many people say that Nigeria produces nothing and imports almost everything. This claim has been repeated by politicians, commentators, and ordinary citizens, often using simple products like toothpicks as symbols of failure.

While this idea makes a strong point, it oversimplifies the situation. The truth is more complex; Nigeria does produce a lot, but certain challenges prevent local goods from meeting all domestic demand.

Toothpicks are often used to illustrate Nigeria’s alleged industrial weakness. Companies such as United Bamboo in Asaba and Pemo Groups in Edo State produce billions of toothpicks every year. Yet, they cannot supply the entire country, leaving room for imported alternatives.

This shows that Nigeria has the capacity but still faces distribution and production challenges.

Looking beyond toothpicks, Nigeria has strong industrial sectors. Cement production, led by Dangote and BUA, has turned Nigeria from a net importer to a net exporter. In the automotive sector, companies like Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing and international assembly plants provide jobs and develop technical skills, showing that local industry can grow when conditions are favorable.

Food and beverage production also highlights Nigeria’s industrial strength. Firms like Nestlé Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries, and Flour Mills of Nigeria manufacture large volumes for the local market and even for export. The pharmaceutical sector is growing too, with local companies meeting international standards and producing medicines for Nigerians and other countries.

Despite these successes, Nigeria still depends on imports for some goods. Consumer products, refined petroleum, machinery, and specialized equipment often come from abroad because local production cannot fully meet demand. Infrastructure gaps, policy changes, and high production costs are key reasons behind this dependency, not a lack of effort or capability.

The causes of import dependency go deeper. Poor electricity supply forces many factories to rely on expensive generators.

Roads, rail, and transport systems are often inefficient, raising costs for manufacturers. In addition, many local industries still need to import machinery and technology to produce goods efficiently.

Policy and economic factors also play a role. Frequent changes in trade rules, border security issues, and currency volatility make it hard for manufacturers to plan long-term. Smuggled goods compete with local products, often sold cheaper, discouraging domestic production. Consumer preference for foreign goods further strengthens imports.

Political statements claiming Nigeria produces nothing are often exaggerated. Sometimes they are used to criticize government policies or push for industrial reforms. While the statements highlight real problems, they can also overlook the efforts of Nigerian entrepreneurs and the progress already made in manufacturing.

Recent government actions, like the temporary ban on raw shea butter exports, show a strategic attempt to encourage local processing and value addition. Nigeria is one of the world’s largest producers of shea nuts, but much of it leaves the country unprocessed. Policies like this can help create jobs, grow industries, and increase the value of local products.

Nigeria does produce many goods and services, but structural, economic, and policy challenges limit domestic production in some areas. Rather than focusing on rhetoric, the government should invest in infrastructure, provide stable policies, support local industries, and promote local consumption. By doing so, Nigeria can reduce import dependency, grow its manufacturing sector, and create more jobs for its citizens.