National Productivity Centre Advocates Kaizen for Improved Efficiency in Nigeria
The Director-General of the National Productivity Centre (NPC), Dr. Baffa Babba Dan’Agundi, has called for the widespread adoption of the Kaizen philosophy in both Nigeria’s public and private sectors to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity.
Speaking at the 2nd National Kaizen Conference, themed “Driving Overall Growth in Nigeria through Continuous Improvement: The Kaizen Approach,” Dr. Dan’Agundi emphasized the importance of continuous improvement as a key strategy for boosting Nigeria’s economic and industrial competitiveness. The one-day event was held at Zuma Hall, Rock View Hotel (Royale), Maitama, Abuja, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Kaizen: A Game-Changer for Nigerian Industries
Kaizen, a Japanese term meaning “change for the better,” is a globally recognized methodology for process improvement, waste reduction, and enhanced productivity. The conference sought to introduce this philosophy to Nigerian organizations, standardize the African Kaizen Initiative (AKI) in the country, and foster collaboration among industries, policymakers, and development partners.
Dr. Dan’Agundi stressed the urgent need for Nigerian organizations to adopt modern management and operational techniques to remain competitive in global markets.
“Given the high level of competition amongst organizations in the world today, it is instructive that we focus on improving our managerial and operational practices so that we can be players in the global value chains,” he said.
He further highlighted that Kaizen has been instrumental in the success of top-tier global firms by improving operational efficiency, reducing waste, and enhancing product quality.
“By embracing Kaizen, Nigerian organizations can expand their businesses, generate additional revenue and profits with the same level of capital, and create more job opportunities, thereby driving economic growth,” he stated.
JICA Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria’s Development
The Chief Representative of JICA Nigeria Office, Mr. Susumu Yuzurio, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s productivity and economic transformation. He described Kaizen as a proven methodology that has revolutionized industries worldwide and could significantly contribute to Nigeria’s development.
“Kaizen, which translates to ‘change for the better,’ is more than a concept; it is a philosophy that has transformed businesses, enhanced productivity, and fostered a culture of excellence across the globe,” Yuzurio stated.
He further emphasized that Kaizen principles can help Nigeria enhance competitiveness, streamline operations, and unlock new growth opportunities.
“For Nigeria, a nation with infinite potential, Kaizen presents an opportunity to reduce waste, improve product quality, and contribute to economic prosperity,” he added.
Key Takeaways and Stakeholder Participation
The conference featured technical sessions, roundtable discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions with experts and industry practitioners presenting best practices and success stories of Kaizen deployment. Stakeholders from government agencies, private enterprises, and development partners attended the event, contributing to an engaging and insightful discourse.
Among the dignitaries present were:
The Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment, represented by Permanent Secretary, Dr. Salihu A. Usman.
The Director-General, National Productivity Centre, Dr. Baffa Babba Dan’Agundi, along with his team of Directors.
The Chief Representative of JICA, Nigeria Office, Mr. Susumu Yuzurio.
Engr. Adejoh David, Coordinator, Kaizen NPC.
Ms. Sakura Ito, JICA Nigeria Office.
Orji Stephen, Representative of the Managing Director/CEO, Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA).
With over 90 participants from the public and private sectors, the event provided a platform to discuss strategies for embedding Kaizen into Nigeria’s economic framework.
National Productivity Centre: Driving Productivity Growth
The National Productivity Centre (NPC), a federal government parastatal, is mandated to stimulate productivity consciousness and promote socio-economic growth in Nigeria. The Centre achieves this through various productivity improvement programs, including:
Productivity promotion and advocacy.
Surveys and studies on productivity trends.
Human capacity-building programs.
Quality improvement initiatives under the Productivity and Quality Improvement Programme (P&QIP).
Dr. Dan’Agundi expressed gratitude to JICA for its continued partnership and called on Nigerian organizations to actively integrate Kaizen into their operational frameworks.
“Beyond this conference, we shall continue to rely on your cooperation to enable us to deploy Kaizen activities in your organizations and sectors,” he affirmed.
With growing interest in continuous improvement and efficiency strategies, the adoption of Kaizen could serve as a catalyst for Nigeria’s economic transformation, fostering innovation, job creation, and sustainable development.
