The Federal Government has renewed its drive to reposition Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as key drivers of export expansion and job creation, as the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, held a strategic meeting with the Nigeria Economic Zones Association (NEZA) in Abuja on Thursday, 23rd April 2026.
At the engagement, the Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to accelerating reforms aimed at improving the performance of SEZs, boosting investor confidence, and expanding Nigeria’s export capacity. She emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in shaping policies and legislative frameworks that will guide the sector’s future.
“Our focus is on building a sustainable legacy of reforms that will unlock exports, create jobs, and improve the competitiveness of our economic zones,” Oduwole said.
She noted that ongoing reviews of regulatory frameworks are designed to remove bottlenecks, enhance efficiency, and align incentives with national economic priorities to ensure SEZs operate as globally competitive investment hubs.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, described the engagement as a significant step toward strengthening public-private collaboration, commending NEZA’s input and encouraging continued knowledge sharing to support effective policy formulation.
On behalf of NEZA, Chairman Chief Nabil Saleh said the visit underscored the association’s commitment to deepening dialogue on repositioning Nigeria’s SEZs for industrial growth and export competitiveness. He highlighted coordination gaps, procedural delays, and the need for clearer dispute resolution mechanisms as key challenges affecting performance.
“With better coordination, clear dispute resolution processes, and measurable performance tracking, Nigeria’s SEZs can become globally competitive destinations for investment,” he stated.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment by both government and private sector stakeholders to accelerate reforms, improve implementation, and reposition Nigeria’s economic zones as catalysts for sustainable economic growth and global trade expansion.
