The Nigerian government is hoping that pencil production can revitalize an economy suffering from a downturn in oil prices.
The Nigerian government is hoping that pencil production can revitalize an economy suffering from a downturn in oil prices.
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Pencil production will begin in 2018, for the first time in West Africa. Minister of Science and Technology Ogbonnaya Onu claims the new industry could generate 400,000 jobs, although this figure is disputed.
Pencil production will begin in 2018, for the first time in West Africa. Minister of Science and Technology Ogbonnaya Onu claims the new industry could generate 400,000 jobs, although this figure is disputed.
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Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari (R) has committed to continuing with the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), started by former President Goodluck Jonathan (L). The Plan aims to scale up the nation's industrial production.
Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari (R) has committed to continuing with the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), started by former President Goodluck Jonathan (L). The Plan aims to scale up the nation's industrial production.
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Manufacturing has slumped in Africa's largest economy. The textile industry provided around 350,000 jobs at its peak during the 1980s, a figure that has fallen to 25,000 today.
Manufacturing has slumped in Africa's largest economy. The textile industry provided around 350,000 jobs at its peak during the 1980s, a figure that has fallen to 25,000 today.
PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The pencil project has been criticized for a perceived lack of ambition. Critics compared the project unfavorably with Uganda, which has seen more eye-catching innovations such as a <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F02%2F15%2Fafrica%2Fafrica-solar-bus-kiira-uganda%2F">solar-powered</a> bus.
The pencil project has been criticized for a perceived lack of ambition. Critics compared the project unfavorably with Uganda, which has seen more eye-catching innovations such as a solar-powered bus.
Ralph Orlowski/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
But the global pencil industry has an estimated value of almost $3 billion, and continues to thrive in the digital era.
But the global pencil industry has an estimated value of almost $3 billion, and continues to thrive in the digital era.
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The modern pencil industry originated in the German city of Nuremburg in the 17th century, where the two largest manufacturers were founded - Staedtler and Faber-Castell.
The modern pencil industry originated in the German city of Nuremburg in the 17th century, where the two largest manufacturers were founded - Staedtler and Faber-Castell.
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The oldest known pencil from the 17th century on display at the Faber-Castell castle in Nuremburg.
The oldest known pencil from the 17th century on display at the Faber-Castell castle in Nuremburg.
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