List Of Ministers Of Industry Trade And Investment In Nigeria (2011-Present)
The Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment in Nigeria was established to promote industrialization, trade, and investment in the country. It plays a part in developing policies that improve the growth of local industries, improve trade relations, and attract foreign investments.
The ministry was officially created in 2011, during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, who aimed to boost Nigeria’s economic development through industrialization and trade facilitation.
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List Of All Ministers Of Industry Trade And Investment In Nigeria (2011-Present)
| Minister | Term | Political Party |
|---|---|---|
| Olusegun Aganga | 2011 - 2015 | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
| Okechukwu Enelamah | 2015-2019 | All Progressives Congress (APC) |
| Niyi Adebayo | 2019 - 2023 | All Progressives Congress (APC) |
| Doris Uzoka-Anite | 2023 - 2024 | All Progressives Congress (APC) |
| Dr. Jumoke Oduwole | 2024-Present | APC |
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Who Was The First Minister Of Industry, Trade, And Investment In Nigeria?
Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga was the first Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment in Nigeria, serving from 2011 to 2015. Before that, he was the Minister of Finance from April 2010 to June 2011.
Born in 1955 in Lagos State, Aganga has a strong background in finance and investment. Aganga’s educational journey began at the University of Ibadan, where he earned a degree in Biological Sciences in 1977.
Later, he studied Theology at the University of Oxford, earning another degree in 2000. He also became a Chartered Accountant in 1983. Before entering public service, Aganga worked in the private sector.
He was a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs in London, dealing with hedge funds. Also, he held a senior position at Ernst & Young in London. These roles provided him with valuable experience in finance and investment.
Aganga’s tenure as Minister of Finance was seen by some notable achievements. He helped establish Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, which was a big step towards better financial management for the country.
Then he also played a big part in issuing Nigeria’s first Eurobond, which opened up new investment opportunities for the country. In 2010, Aganga chaired the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), becoming the first African to hold such a position.
In 2011, Aganga was appointed Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment by President Goodluck Jonathan. This ministry was created to boost Nigeria’s industrial and economic development.
During his time in office, Aganga implemented several policies aimed at transforming Nigeria’s economy. One of his major achievements was the development of Nigeria’s industrialization agenda.
He worked to make Nigeria less dependent on imports and create more jobs through initiatives like the auto policy, sugar policy, and the cotton, textile, and garment policy. Aganga also focused on improving Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
Under his leadership, manufacturing became one of the fastest-growing sectors in the Nigerian economy. He supported the expansion of key industries, including cement, which led to self-sufficiency in cement production.
For the first time, Nigeria began exporting cement, which was a significant milestone. Aganga’s efforts also extended to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He reduced business registration costs and introduced a 24-hour registration service in some cities.
In addition, he launched an online registration platform to make it easier for businesses to get started. These initiatives led to a huge increase in the number of SMEs, which in turn created millions of jobs.
Aganga’s tenure saw Nigeria becoming a top destination for investments in Africa. The World Street Journal Frontiers Market index rated Nigeria as the most-watched frontier market during his time in office.
He also initiated the country’s first national quality infrastructure program with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
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Who Is The Current Minister Of Industry, Trade And Investment In Nigeria?
Jumoke Omoniyi Oduwole, a Nigerian jurist, academic, and reformist, is the new Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment. Appointed in November 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, Oduwole succeeded Doris Uzoka-Anite in this role, tasked with driving Nigeria’s trade and investment strategies on both local and international fronts.
Born in Lagos, Oduwole began her academic journey in Nigeria, earning an LL.B degree from the University of Lagos in 1998, followed by her call to the Nigerian Bar in 1999.
Her pursuit of legal education took her to the University of Cambridge, where she earned a master’s degree in commercial law as a DFID-Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholar.
She furthered her studies at Stanford University, and she received an MSc in International Legal Studies and later completed a doctorate in international trade and development with a focus on WTO negotiation strategies.
As a faculty member at the University of Lagos, she taught many subjects in international economic law and development. Her government career began in 2015 when she was appointed as Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Industry, Trade, and Investment.
She later served as Special Adviser on Ease of Doing Business, overseeing notable improvements in Nigeria’s business climate, including Nigeria’s rise in the World Bank’s Doing Business Report.
Her tenure saw the establishment of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations and the implementation of reforms through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
Aside from her governmental achievements, Oduwole has contributed widely to academia and policy development. She held the prestigious Prince Claus Chair in Development and Equity and has been recognized by Harvard University and MIT for her contributions.
An advocate for women and youth empowerment, Oduwole founded the No Limits Nigeria Initiative to inspire young Nigerians. Her contributions have earned her lots of awards, including the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2023.
