The Nigerian government on Thursday launched a National Halal Economy Strategy aimed at positioning the country to tap into the $7.7 trillion global halal market and diversify its economy.
Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on media and communications, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
According to the statement, Mr Tinubu unveiling the strategy at Presidential Villa, Abuja, described it as a signal of Nigeria’s readiness to join the world in grabbing a huge chunk of the global halal economy already embraced by leading nations, as well as to clearly define the nation’s direction within the market expected to add an estimated $1.5 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2027.
Mr Tinubu, represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima called for disciplined, inclusive, and measurable action for the strategy to deliver jobs, and shared prosperity across the country.
“It is with this sense of responsibility that I formally unveil the Nigeria National Halal Economy Strategy. This document is a declaration of our promise to meet global standards with Nigerian capacity and to convert opportunity into lasting economic value.
“What follows must be action that is disciplined, inclusive, and measurable, so that this strategy delivers jobs, exports, and shared prosperity across our nation. It is going to be chaired by the supremely competent minister of Industry, Trade and Investment,” he said.
Mr Shettima, according to the statement, outlined what he described as clear and measurable ambitions set by the strategy, including “expanding halal-compliant food exports, developing pharmaceutical and cosmetic value chains, positioning Nigeria as a halal-friendly tourism destination, and mobilising ethical finance at scale,” by 2030.
According to him, the cumulative efforts are projected to unlock over $12 billion in economic value, while strengthening food security, deepening industrial capacity, and creating opportunities for small-and-medium-sized enterprises across our states.
He explained that while the Nigeria strategy is the result of careful study and sober reflection, it was inspired by the commitment of the administration of Mr Tinubu to diversify exports, attract foreign direct investment, and create sustainable jobs across the federation.
“It is also the product of deliberate partnership, developed with the Halal Products Development Company, a subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, alongside Dar Al Halal Group Nigeria, with technical backing from institutions such as the Islamic Development Bank and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa,” he added.
Commenting on the unveiling, Chairperson of the National Halal Strategy Committee and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the launch of the Nigeria National Halal Strategy by the vice president is a public-private collaboration that has involved extensive interaction with stakeholders.
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She noted that the private sector led the charge in ensuring that it is a whole-of-government and whole-of-country intervention, with the office of the vice president coordinating all ministries, departments, and agencies, while the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment played a pivotal role.
“We are going to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to ensure we export our Halal-friendly goods to the rest of Africa and beyond to any willing markets; participation is voluntary,” she added, assuring that as chairperson, her ministry would deliver on the objectives of the strategy for the prosperity of the nation.
In his remark, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dar Al-Halal Group Nigeria Limited, Muhammadu Dikko Ladan, expressed satisfaction that the Halal Product Development Company collaborated with the group in developing the strategy.
He added that, in addition to the strategy, an export programme is underway involving the Ministry of Trade and Investment, through which Nigerian companies can be onboarded into the Saudi Arabian market and beyond.
Mr Ladan described the strategy as a landmark opportunity for Nigeria as it creates market access and attracts foreign direct investment.
The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, represented by Carole Lebreton, Financial Counsellor at the French Embassy in Nigeria, said the Halal Strategy is also key to Nigeria–France relations, as the French government explores more ways to build socio-economic bridges with Nigeria.
She said the French government stands ready to support Nigeria’s export drive, especially in the areas of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Developed by the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund — the Strategy is an outcome of the bilateral cooperation agreement signed between Nigeria and HPDC in February 2025 at the Makkah Halal Forum.
The collaboration seeks to deepen Nigeria–Saudi Arabia economic relations while leveraging HPDC’s global reach to attract investment, improve market access, and integrate Nigeria into international halal value chains.
