The House of Representatives has launched a comprehensive investigation into the neglect and underutilisation of more than 30 Industrial Development Centres (IDCs) across Nigeria—facilities once designed to drive small and medium enterprise (SME) growth and industrialisation.
Following a motion presented at plenary by Hon. Emeka Idu, who represents Onitsha North/Onitsha South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, the House on Tuesday mandated its Committee on Industry to identify reasons for the abandonment and recommend strategies for their effective revival. The committee is expected to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
Hon. Idu recalled that the IDCs were established as far back as the 1970s to support local entrepreneurs with vital infrastructure, machinery, and technical training. Four major zonal centres—located in Osogbo, Owerri, Zaria, and Maiduguri—were equipped to serve as hubs of industrial capacity-building, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports, and create jobs for the youth.
“Unfortunately, these centres have failed to fulfil their mandate,” Idu said. “The machinery has become obsolete, staff are redundant, and in most cases, the facilities are in states of total disrepair.”
He further pointed out that although the Federal Government later placed the IDCs under the supervision of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), little has been done to reposition the centres for their original purpose.
> “Without urgent intervention, Nigeria risks permanently losing a valuable component of its industrial development framework,” he warned. “The neglect of these centres undermines efforts to promote inclusive economic growth and self-reliance.”
The motion received overwhelming support from lawmakers, many of whom lamented the lost opportunities for job creation and local manufacturing that the IDCs represent.
The House resolution signals a renewed legislative interest in strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base as part of broader efforts to diversify the economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
