The National President of the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Chief Solomon Daniel Vongfa, has identified the rapid growth of small-scale industries as a critical pathway to Nigeria’s economic prosperity, job creation and self-reliance.
Vongfa said Nigeria must prioritise the development of indigenous enterprises and small-scale industries to diversify its economy, reduce overdependence on government and oil revenues, and unlock the vast potential of its human and natural resources.
He spoke on Sunday ahead of NASSI’s 35th National Convention, scheduled for December 1, 2026, in Abuja, saying the gathering would provide a platform for industrialists, policymakers, investors and development partners to explore practical solutions to the challenges confronting small businesses in the country.
According to him, countries that have recorded significant economic growth have largely achieved such progress by strengthening private-sector participation and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
He maintained that Nigeria, with its abundant natural and human resources, must embrace the same approach by empowering small-scale industrialists to expand their operations, improve productivity, and contribute more meaningfully to national development.
Vongfa also stressed the need to encourage small-scale businesses to explore opportunities across different sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, rather than concentrating economic activities around crude oil exports.
“During our last encounter, I explained to you that this is something all Nigerians must take seriously and participate fully in because, as a country, we must move away from overdependence on oil alone.
“There are other lucrative businesses that will grow our economy, and for us to achieve that, we have to find a way to encourage our small-scale industrialists to do even better, including in the oil and gas sector,” he said.
The NASSI president described the forthcoming convention as an important intervention aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s productive economy, adding that preparations were intensifying with one month remaining before the event.
He commended Zamkah Technologies Limited, NASSI’s strategic consultant and convention coordinator, for its role in organising the event and facilitating engagements with relevant stakeholders.
Vongfa disclosed that the association was reaching out to industrialists, government leaders, development partners and private-sector institutions within and outside Nigeria to ensure broad participation in the convention and advance its objectives.
The convention, themed “Transforming Small Industries for a Competitive Nigeria,” is designed to examine strategies for improving the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of indigenous enterprises.
Vongfa said the theme reflected the association’s conviction that the strength of Nigeria’s economy depended significantly on the capacity of local businesses to produce goods, create jobs, add value to local resources and compete effectively in domestic and international markets.
He explained that the event would bring together entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), policymakers, government institutions, financial institutions, investors, regulators, development partners and organised private-sector groups.
According to him, the gathering would also address persistent challenges affecting small businesses, including limited access to finance, rising energy costs, inadequate infrastructure, technology adoption, market access, regulatory standards, skills development and global competitiveness.
He said the convention would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to deliberate on practical measures to address these challenges and create conditions that would enable small-scale industries to expand and contribute more effectively to economic transformation.
“At a time when Nigerian businesses are navigating issues around access to finance, energy costs, technology adoption, market access, standards, productivity, skills development and global competitiveness, the convention is expected to provide a national platform for practical engagement on how small industries can play a stronger role in economic transformation, employment creation and local value addition,” he said.
Vongfa further disclosed that the programme would feature a National Industrial Dialogue and Business Convention, bringing public- and private-sector stakeholders together to discuss issues affecting enterprise development and industrial growth.
The discussions are expected to cover industrial competitiveness, financing, investment, standards, technology, infrastructure, skills acquisition, innovation and access to domestic and international markets.
He expressed optimism that the deliberations would generate actionable recommendations to strengthen small businesses and improve their contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.
“We are hopeful that come December 1, we will all brainstorm and provide the way forward because time is of the essence,” he added.
The NASSI president also announced that the convention would feature the inauguration of the association’s leadership, an awards ceremony and the presentation of its convention magazine, alongside other institutional activities.
The December gathering is expected to reinforce NASSI’s campaign message, “Small Industries. Stronger Nigeria,” which underscores the association’s position that supporting local industrialists and expanding the capacity of small-scale enterprises are essential to building a more diversified, competitive and resilient Nigerian economy.
SOURCE: Independent