Alaafin calls for stronger support for made-in-Nigeria products
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, has called on Nigerians to imagine a nation where local innovations and exports carry the proud label “Made in Nigeria.”
He made the call during the National Industrial Manpower Summit held on Tuesday at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking through a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the monarch stressed that the world is experiencing rapid change in skills and technology.
He emphasised that training must not be limited to new employees but should also be a continuous process for existing staff to enhance productivity and adaptability.
Oba Owoade explained that low- and mid-level employees need to adjust to new technologies, while managers require deeper understanding of their roles, industry challenges, and government policies. This, he said, underscores the need for ongoing manpower development to keep pace with global standards.
The two-day summit, themed “Manpower Development: The Bridge Between Potential and Productivity,” was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. It aimed to define strategies for unlocking Nigeria’s industrial potential through human capital growth.
Traditional rulers, captains of industry, technocrats, and other key stakeholders attended the event. In his address, Oba Owoade urged Nigerians to embrace unity and collaboration between government, industry, traditional institutions, and communities to ensure that skills are nurtured and applied effectively.
He also highlighted the role of women in commerce, governance, and innovation, noting that Nigeria’s modern industries must provide opportunities for women to lead and thrive.
According to him, a workforce that feels respected and cared for is more likely to be productive, innovative, and committed.
The Alaafin drew parallels between Nigeria’s current needs and the structured training of the ancient Oyo Empire, where military, commerce, and governance systems thrived on skill transfer and discipline.
He urged participants to remember that manpower is built not only in boardrooms but also in classrooms, vocational institutes, apprenticeships, and mentorship programs.
Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, reiterated that no industrial policy can succeed without the right people to drive it. He described the summit as a strategic intervention aimed at confronting skills gaps and designing actionable pathways to address them.
Similarly, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Hon. Adamson Oluwatosin Ayinde, said the summit was conceived from the recognition that industrial growth depends on building a skilled, adaptive, and innovative workforce. He stressed that human capital is the most critical infrastructure any nation can possess.
After delivering his remarks, the Alaafin was taken on a tour of the exhibition arena by Senator Enoh and Hon. Ayinde, where he inspected various industrial innovations and skill development initiatives showcased at the summit.
