Minister Vows to Boost Manufacturing Performance Through Strategic Collaboration
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, says the ministry will strengthen collaboration with manufacturers to enhance manufacturing performance to spur economic growth and development.
Uzoka-Anite said this at the opening ceremony of the seventh edition of the Nigerian Manufacturing Equipment Expo and the ninth edition of the Nigerian Raw Materials Expo on Tuesday in Lagos.
The expo had as its theme: “Future Manufacturing: Building a Sustainable Roadmap to the Industrialisation of Nigeria.”
The Minister represented by Mrs Olumuyiwa Ajayi-Ade, a deputy director of the ministry, said Nigeria must prioritise development of its raw materials sector to support our manufacturing industry.
According to her, by focusing on value addition and local sourcing, the country can reduce its reliance on imported raw materials and improve the overall competitiveness of our products.
She said the ministry’s policy initiatives was centered on creating an enabling environment to boost the competitiveness of manufacturers.
Uzoka-Anite added that the ministry was committed to incentivizing production activities, and promoting the use of made-in-Nigeria products to increase its contributions to the Gross Domestic Product and job creation.
She noted that while the future of manufacturing in Nigeria was reliant on its ability to embrace technological advancements, manufacturers must begin to leverage emerging technological trends to drive productivity.
“By adopting these cutting-edge technologies, competitiveness of our local manufacturers would be boosted and Nigeria would be positioned as a global manufacturing hub.
“In line with the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, it is essential that we intentionally shift our focus towards non-oil manufacturing sectors such as agriculture, textiles, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.
“Through fostering innovation, championing local content, and strategically investing in critical infrastructure, we have the potential to catalyse the development of a robust and globally competitive manufacturing sector, thereby significantly contributing to our economy,” she said.
Otunba Francis Meshioye, President, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, said the annual event for stakeholders was an opportunity to examine the state of the manufacturing sector and deliberate on the roadmap for development.
Meshioye said the event’s theme was informed by the unprecedented global change rate in terms of innovative technologies, shifting customer expectations, among others and its impact on manufacturing.
He stated that should manufacturers efficiently balance a combination of efficient economies of production and supply chains; strong and reputable products; loyal customers; an established logistics network; global competitiveness was guaranteed.
“By successfully assimilating advanced technologies into their systems, existing and prospective industrialists can expect to realise even greater revenue and profits from their investments.
“Improved political stability; growing investment prospects; business-friendly trade agreements; enforcement of policies empowering start-up and female manufacturers; are pivotal factors demonstrating a positive and thriving manufacturing future.
“However, the vision of industrialised Nigeria would remain an illusion until we resolve the bidding constraints that affects ease of doing business in the country,” he said.
The Director-General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. Hussaini Ibrahim, noted that the council’s innovation centre boasts of several viable projects.
Ibrahim, represented by Dr Abdullahi Aliyu, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, urged investors to support the projects which would go a long way to increase the supply of raw materials to aid manufacturing.
He noted that over 100 projects of the council currently had strong investment opportunities including fertiliser manufacturing.
“Seeing that the Federal Government has banned importation of fertilisers, manufacturers must live up to its expectations in fertiliser production.
“Production of fertiliser is very viable as the country requires about three million tons of urea fertilisers and five million tonnes of NPK fertilisers.
“It is very important for government to encourage these investors to drive raw materials production while RMRDC and MAN must continue to partner for the benefit of manufacturing,” he said
