By Chika Okeke
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the purchase of locally manufactured goods in public procurement and strengthen border controls to curb smuggling.
This was even as the association pleaded with the governments to harmonise regulations to eliminate duplication and reduce production costs, advocating for affordable electricity across the country.
President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, who disclosed this at the 59th Annual General Meeting, AGM, of the Association on Wednesday, requested improved infrastructure to bolster production, investment and industrial growth.
Meshioye listed high energy costs, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance, regulatory bottlenecks and smuggling as major challenges confronting manufacturers.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem noted that manufacturing remained a major driver of employment and economic growth.
Ambrose-Medebem, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Mr Segun Alugba, informed that the sector grew by 3.29 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, harping on the need for sustained reforms to consolidate the growth.
He disclosed that Lagos State’s Industrial Policy and the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, offered opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, to access finance, skills and technology while expanding into African markets through competitive production.
Chairman of MAN, Ikeja Branch, Mr Thomas Osobu requested for consistent and predictable government policies to stimulate investment, productivity and sustainable industrial development.
Osobu informed that manufacturers continued to contend with foreign exchange volatility, rising energy costs, multiple taxation, logistics bottlenecks and an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
He disclosed that well-designed and consistently implemented reforms would attract investment, promote innovation, create jobs, boost exports and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.
Osobu enjoined manufacturers to remain united and engage actively in policy discussions and advocacy to improve the ease of doing business and increase local production.
The AGM provided the platform to critically analyse government policies and provide a workable solution for the manufacturing sector.
