Former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim Pius, has stressed the primacy of patriotism in national development.
Anyim made this point at the 4th Annual Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria held in Abuja on Wednesday.
He underscored the urgent need to revive Nigeria’s industrial base through patriotism, leadership, and consistent national vision.
Speaking at the event with the theme, “Boosting Nigeria’s Productive Future for Effective National Growth and Self-Reliance: Harnessing Leadership, Industry and Innovation for Effective Policy Implementation,” Anyim praised the Forum for its growing influence in shaping national discourse, describing it as “the most focused, most productive, and most impactful” among former public office holders’ associations.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s historical economic journey, he noted that the vision for a productive economy was never lost on successive governments since independence. He cited the First National Development Plan (1962–1968) and the Indigenization Decree of 1977 as key milestones that once positioned Nigeria for industrial success, with thriving manufacturing clusters in Kano, Kaduna, Onitsha, Aba, and Lagos during the 1980s.
However, Anyim lamented the collapse of these industrial efforts, attributing it to three major factors: the military coups of 1966, the oil boom of the 1970s, and Nigeria’s signing of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement in 1994.
According to him, the 1966 coups “dislocated our sense of nationalism and national aspiration, promoting ethnicity and nepotism,” while the oil boom “raised our appetite for foreign-made goods, replacing local production with import dependency.” He further criticized Nigeria’s entry into the WTO as a move that “turned our economy into a dumping ground for cheap foreign goods,” undermining local industries unable to compete due to weak infrastructure and inadequate policy protection.
“There is no gain saying that every successful local productive economy not only enjoys policy protection but also a competitive production environment,” he asserted. “If we must expect a turnaround in local production, we must protect our market and enhance our environment.”
Calling for a national rebirth, Anyim stressed that Nigeria’s weakened institutions and eroded patriotism are at the heart of its economic struggles. He urged both leaders and citizens to recommit to a shared national vision, emphasizing that meaningful progress requires sustained effort and sacrifice.
“It will be misleading for anybody to think that it is a simple task to reverse our economic misfortunes,” he said. “Our leaders must be intentional at rebuilding our nation. This approach worked for China, Singapore, and Vietnam—it can work for us.”
In his goodwill message, former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto North, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamako, represented by Hon. Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment, commended the Forum for its consistency and growth. He recalled earlier efforts to establish a similar body in 1999 that were “thwarted by higher powers,” and expressed satisfaction with the Forum’s current organization and impact.
Wamako pledged legislative support for the Forum’s initiatives and called for a “shared vision and mutual agreement on a work plan” to strengthen governance and development at subnational levels.
He also appreciated the Forum’s corporate partners and “friends of the Forum” for their support, noting that their contributions have helped elevate members’ visibility and political inclusion.
“I urge all stakeholders to maintain their commitment and efforts, as they play a vital role in propelling Nigeria towards prosperity and self-reliance,” he said.
The conference, which brought together former deputy governors, legislators, policymakers, and corporate leaders, reaffirmed the collective resolve to drive Nigeria’s economic revival through leadership, innovation, and patriotism.
