Malomo’s joins Nigeria’s march to industrial history
By Olufemi Timothy Ogunyejo
WHEN the tides of national transformation begin to turn, destiny often calls upon men of character, charisma, and uncommon competence. One such man is Mr. Olugbemi Malomo, a visionary whose hands have long tilled the fields of progress in Nigeria’s printing, publishing, creative, and industrial sectors. With the recent announcement of his nomination into the Government Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG), the applause is not just for a man but for a legacy in motion.
The IRWG is not another routine assembly of experts; it is a battleground of ideas, a high table where Nigeria’s industrial future is being sculpted with urgency and precision. Co-chaired by the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, and the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otunba Francis Meshioye, the group represents a powerful fusion of public and private sector leadership. Their mission: to convert Nigeria’s long-held industrial ambitions into actionable outcomes.
Among the constellation of minds chosen for this formidable task, Mr. Malomo’s inclusion stands out for the creative and cultural sector. His journey here is no fluke; it is a testament to years of intentional service, strategic leadership, and an undying belief in Nigeria’s potential.
From his trailblazing tenure as President of Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON), to his current dynamic role as Chairman, Central Planning Committee of Nigeria International Book Fair Trust (NIBFT), as well as a Council Member of the Trust, Mr. Malomo has consistently turned possibilities into practical outcomes. Under his stewardship, CIPPON not only repositioned itself as a regulatory force but also became a voice for ethical practices and innovation in the print industry. The book fair, once regarded as a routine calendar event, has blossomed into a vibrant intellectual carnival, attracting local and global thought-leaders.
It is said in Yoruba that ‘Àkìí mọyà lẹ́hìn tí a bá rọ̀rú’ (You don’t test a man’s mettle after the storm has passed). Mr. Malomo’s mettle has already been proven, in turbulent tides and in tranquil times. Whether navigating policy debates or pioneering reforms, he has shown that leadership is not about occupying a seat but about stirring change.
At the two-day technical session held from June 16–17, 2025, in Abuja, Minister Enoh delivered a speech that rang like thunder across the valleys of complacency: “We are not assembled here to recycle conversation,” he declared. “We are here to ignite execution, to convert strategy into measurable progress and policy into productivity.”
His voice, both stern and stirring, echoed the urgency of now. No longer, he insisted, can Nigeria’s industrial journey be stalled by bureaucracy, silos, or inertia. The call was clear: let vision meet velocity, and ambition meet implementation. It was less of a speech and more of a national alarm clock—a wake-up call for those entrusted with crafting the country’s future.
Members of the Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG) with Mr. Olugbenga Malomo (second left backrow)
Senator Enoh urged members to deliver results that affect real lives: affordable credit for manufacturers, seamless regulation, reliable energy, and a Made-in-Nigeria brand that doesn’t just inspire pride but demands global respect
To watch Mr. Malomo operate is to witness a masterclass in strategic calm. His ability to align vision with verifiable impact and his talent for building bridges across industries have made him a trusted steward of institutional reform. He does not just convene meetings; he catalyzes movements. More than just a technocrat, he is a teacher of transformation, marrying deep industry insight with a rare blend of humility and resolve. His leadership is not loud, yet its echoes are felt far and wide. Whether steering regulatory reform or orchestrating cross-sector collaborations, Mr. Malomo understands that progress is not a product of chance but of choice, and he consistently chooses excellence.
Colleagues who have worked with him often recall his mantra: “If the process is right, the product will be right.” This philosophy has underpinned every chapter of his professional life—where systems are strengthened, stakeholders are inspired, and solutions are sustainably delivered.
In a country where talk is often cheap and follow-through even rarer, Mr. Malomo stands as a refreshing contradiction—a man whose words walk and whose walk works. Like a seasoned craftsman, he builds not only with tools of intellect but with the timbers of integrity and a foundation of foresight.
To borrow an African proverb, “The axe may forget, but the tree remembers.” So will the sectors he has touched remember his impact—long after the applause has faded.
As Nigeria seeks to turn a new industrial page, it must write that story with pens guided by vision and ink drawn from experience. In Mr. Malomo, the nation has not only found a leader—it has found a lodestar. Senator Enoh’s words serve as both map and mirror, reflecting the path ahead while challenging the present to rise. With this new chapter of national service, Mr. Malomo once again answers the call, not as a spectator, but as a sculptor of tomorrow.
Let the drums of development beat. Let the echoes of execution resound. And let history, in its silent but sacred script, record that when Nigeria needed builders, Mr. Malomo showed up—not just with blueprints, but with boldness. Indeed, in this industrial revolution, he is not merely present. He is pivotal.
Ogunyejo is The Registrar, Best In Print Academy, Ibadan
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