Blueprint for Progress: A Call to Action for Nigeria’s Machine Tool Industry -By Stephen Akanbi

Nigeria’s industrial landscape is at a crossroads. For far too long, our dependency on imported machinery has acted as a ball and chain, hindering industrialization, inflating infrastructure costs, and tethering us to foreign markets. But why should it remain this way? If countries like India and Brazil—once burdened by similar challenges—could transcend their obstacles, why can’t Nigeria?

The opening introduction to this article isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s backed by proven examples, India and Brazil. These two nations revolutionized their economies by cultivating thriving machine tool industries. They didn’t wait for miracles—they built them. Nigeria has the potential to replicate this success and, even better, tailor it to suit our unique realities.

Take India’s bold steps as an example. Through strategic initiatives, they turned cities like Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad into machine tool hubs. How? By providing infrastructure, tax incentives, and shared R&D facilities to attract investors. Nigeria could transform Lagos, Kaduna, and Aba into similar industrial powerhouses, offering tax holidays, subsidized land, and reliable power to lure in investors and innovators alike.

But it’s not just about physical zones; it’s about partnerships. India’s state-backed Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) teamed up with private firms to modernize production. Nigeria can tap into this collaborative spirit by revitalizing Ajaokuta and Aladja Steel and joining forces with private giants like Innoson Vehicles and Dangote to produce machinery locally. Imagine the boost to our economy if we could reduce reliance on imports while fostering technology transfer through joint ventures with German, Chinese, or Indian firms.

And then there’s education—India didn’t leave their workforce behind. Their IITs and Industrial Training Institutes churn out skilled engineers who feed into their machine tool sector. Nigeria must invest in upgrading our polytechnics to provide modern CNC machining training.

Furthermore, partnerships with German or Chinese vocational schools could create specialized programs tailored to our industrial needs.
Brazil, on the other hand, took another route. They imposed tariffs on imported machinery while subsidizing local producers to build domestic capacity. Nigeria has already shown it can take bold steps—look no further than the ban on imported cement that spurred local production. A similar approach for machine tools could protect local manufacturers while stimulating growth. It’s time to put our policies into action and expand them.

Innovation, too, remains central to Brazil’s success. Their EMBRAPA and SENAI institutions drive research and development. Nigeria has its counterparts—PRODA and NASENI. These agencies need not only funding but a mission-focused revamp. Imagine a partnership between University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Innoson Group that delivers cutting-edge machinery innovation. The possibilities are endless.

Nigeria must also unlock the potential of Ajaokuta and Aladja Steel plants—not tomorrow, not next year, but today. These facilities can produce the raw materials needed for machinery-grade steel, fueling manufacturers locally. Private mills like African Foundries could be incentivized to supply this lifeblood to our burgeoning industry.

Once domestic capacity is solidified, export opportunities abound. Brazil’s firms like Romi export machinery to Africa and Latin America. Nigeria could easily position itself as the machinery hub of West Africa, targeting ECOWAS markets with export incentives. It’s not just about manufacturing for ourselves—it’s about becoming indispensable to our region.

The road is clear, but the question remains: when will Nigeria seize this opportunity? We don’t need to reinvent the wheel; we need to start turning it. India and Brazil have written the playbook, and it’s ours to follow. With government support, private-sector partnerships, skills development, and strategic protectionism, Nigeria can transition from import dependency to industrial independence.

This is our moment. It’s time for Nigeria to stand tall as Africa’s answer to India and Brazil—a hub of machinery innovation and production that transforms not just our nation, but our continent. Let’s act, and let’s act now.

Engr. Stephen Akanbi sent in this piece from UK where is he based, as part of his efforts at rallying support for Nigeria’s industrial revolution?