The National Productivity Centre (NPC) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing efficiency and productivity in Nigeria’s public and private sectors through the adoption of the Kaizen philosophy.
This was highlighted at the 2nd National Kaizen Conference, themed “Driving Overall Growth in Nigeria through Continuous Improvement: The Kaizen Approach,” held at Zuma Hall, Rock View Hotel (Royale), Maitama, Abuja. The conference, a collaborative effort between NPC and JICA, aimed to facilitate the widespread adoption of Kaizen principles to drive economic growth and operational excellence in Nigerian industries.
In his welcome address, Dr. Baffa Babba Dan’Agundi, Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, emphasized the need for organizations to embrace Kaizen to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
“Given the high level of competition amongst organizations in the world today, it is instructive that we focus on improving our managerial and operational practices so that we can be players in the global value chains,” he stated.
He further noted that adopting Kaizen principles would help identify productivity gaps, reduce waste, enhance efficiency, and generate employment opportunities, ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s economic development.
The Chief Representative of JICA Nigeria Office, Mr. Susumu Yuzurio, described Kaizen as a proven methodology that has revolutionized industries worldwide.
“Kaizen, which translates to ‘change for the better,’ is more than a concept; it is a philosophy that emphasizes continuous improvement, employee participation, and process efficiency,” he remarked.
He reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s development through technical cooperation projects and training programs across various sectors, including energy, agriculture, health, transportation, education, and industry.
The event featured technical sessions, roundtable discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions, with experts and stakeholders from government agencies, private organizations, and development partners exchanging best practices on Kaizen implementation.
Among the dignitaries present were the Minister of Labour and Employment, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Salihu A. Usman, the Director-General of NPC, Dr. Baffa Babba Dan’Agundi, JICA Nigeria officials, and representatives from various organizations, including the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA).
With over 90 participants drawn from public and private sector organizations, the conference underscored Nigeria’s growing commitment to enhancing productivity and global competitiveness through continuous improvement strategies.
The National Productivity Centre (NPC), a federal government agency, continue to champion productivity consciousness through initiatives such as Productivity and Quality Improvement Programmes (P&QIP), productivity measurement, and capacity-building programs aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economic landscape.
