At the recent 41st Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) for the Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti branches, Chief Francis Meshioye, the association’s president, emphasized the urgent need for state governments to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works. He called for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of federal roads to enhance the movement of goods and people within these states.
Represented by MAN’s Director-General, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Meshioye urged for the domestication of Executive Order 003. This order mandates Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize the procurement of Made-in-Nigeria goods, which would bolster local manufacturing and create more jobs. “Implementing this order will provide a significant boost to our local manufacturers,” he stated.
He also urged the Oyo State government to prioritize the rehabilitation of road networks in the Oluyole and Egbeda Industrial Estates, which are critical for industrial activities. Meshioye highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by erratic power supply, calling for an extension of electricity from State Independent Power Plants to manufacturing firms to reduce production costs and enhance productivity.
The theme of the AGM, “Re-igniting Industrialization and Promoting the Tenet of AfCFTA in the Southwest Region,” is particularly relevant as it addresses challenges that hinder the manufacturing sector, including the removal of fuel subsidies, the floating of the Naira, fluctuating exchange rates, and increasing monetary rates.
Mr. Lanre Popoola, Chairman of MAN’s branches in the region, stressed the need for the Nigerian government to take proactive steps to promote non-oil exports and attract foreign direct investment. He proposed that manufacturing be declared a priority sector, with access to low-interest loans for verified manufacturers through MAN. “Such support is essential for revitalizing our industries,” Popoola asserted.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, and Cooperative Mr. Bunmi Jenyo, called on state governments to diversify their economies beyond oil, focusing on sectors like tourism, ICT, agriculture, mining, and textiles for sustainable economic growth.
Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, Executive Secretary of the National Action Committee for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), expressed the committee’s commitment to collaborating with MAN to connect Nigerian businesses with counterparts in other AfCFTA member states. This partnership aims to create new market opportunities and foster productive relationships.
The discussions at this AGM highlight the critical need for infrastructural improvements and supportive policies to revitalize Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. Collective action is essential for unlocking the potential of local industries, contributing to broader economic stability and growth across Africa.
