Dangote Cement Remits N900bn in Taxes as FG Rolls Out Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025

Dangote Cement Plc paid about ₦900 billion in taxes in 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said on Tuesday as the Federal Government formally introduced the Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the unveiling ceremony, the President used the Dangote Group as a reference point for the scale of private sector contribution to the Nigerian economy, noting that the company’s operations extend beyond manufacturing into energy generation capacity that rivals that of several states.

Tinubu said the performance of leading manufacturers reflects the potential of Nigeria’s industrial ecosystem if supported with the right policy environment and infrastructure backbone.

He added that the administration’s economic strategy is focused on production, value creation and export-led growth.

According to the President, the new policy will correct long-standing structural weaknesses that have limited the country’s industrial output, including fragmented value chains, high production costs, weak coordination between government and industry, and inadequate infrastructure support.

He stated that the Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 is designed with a clear implementation structure, adding that the success of policy initiatives depends more on execution than design.

The President stressed that the Federal Government will prioritise measurable outcomes such as factory output, job creation, export growth and domestic value retention.

The policy is anchored on identifying sectors where Nigeria has competitive advantage and ensuring that raw materials are processed locally rather than exported in unrefined form.

Tinubu said the plan also integrates micro, small and medium enterprises into the industrial growth chain to broaden participation and reduce inequality.

He added that aligning power, transport and logistics infrastructure with industrial objectives will be central to the policy’s success, noting that reliable energy supply remains one of the biggest constraints to manufacturing expansion in Nigeria.

Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, welcomed the new policy direction, describing it as a practical step toward building a productive industrial economy.

He said the private sector is encouraged by ongoing reforms, particularly those aimed at stabilising the foreign exchange market and improving the investment climate.

Dangote expressed confidence that the naira would record further gains if current reforms are sustained, adding that the currency could appreciate to around ₦1,000 to the dollar in the medium term.

He, however, emphasised the importance of protecting local industries from unfair external competition, stating that domestic manufacturing cannot grow without a supportive regulatory framework.

He noted that Nigeria’s long-standing pattern of exporting raw materials and importing finished goods has weakened the economy and limited job creation, adding that reversing that trend is essential for sustainable growth.

The industrial policy also received support from other stakeholders. Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, said the new framework marks a shift toward disciplined industrial development anchored on production, competitiveness and value addition.

He explained that past policy efforts were reviewed and lessons incorporated into the new framework.

United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, said the policy reflects Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive economic development and deeper participation in regional and global value chains.

He noted that the framework builds on collaboration between Nigeria and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.

President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Otunba Francis Meshioye, pledged the support of the organised private sector, stating that manufacturers are focused on ensuring that the policy is implemented effectively and that indigenous enterprises are strengthened.

The Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 is expected to serve as the Federal Government’s central industrial roadmap over the coming years, with emphasis on execution, coordination, competitiveness and value retention within the domestic economy.