Rebuilding Nigeria's Economy with Trade and Industry Reform

Nigeria’s macroeconomic structure has long been characterized by a resource-dependent, import-heavy, and low-complexity production model. Despite its abundant natural resources and demographic advantage, the country’s economic trajectory has remained cyclical, vulnerable to exogenous shocks, and structurally inefficient. To achieve inclusive and sustainable growth, Nigeria must execute a comprehensive trade and industrial reform strategy focused on diversification, competitiveness, value-chain integration, and institutional efficiency. This paper posits that rebuilding Nigeria’s economy necessitates a shift from extractive to productive economics—anchored by structural industrial policy, pragmatic trade liberalization, and the strategic use of regional integration platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).