The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has stated that Nigeria can become Africa’s industrial hub if it executes its new industrial strategy. MAN’s president, Francis Meshioye, emphasized that manufacturing is crucial for a resilient economy, but sustainable growth requires quality institutions, consistent policy, critical infrastructure, and effective collaboration between government and the private sector. He noted that the operating environment remains challenging due to high production and energy costs, limited access to affordable finance, and infrastructure deficits.
Meshioye highlighted that MAN has been advocating for macroeconomic stability, improved infrastructure, affordable long-term financing, a stable foreign exchange market, and a predictable regulatory framework. The association has also engaged with the government on Nigeria’s evolving tax reforms, supporting measures that improve administration and fiscal sustainability. However, Meshioye emphasized the need for clarity, consistency, and legal certainty to support investment and competitiveness. He pointed to the Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 as a roadmap to deepen domestic value chains and enhance production, competitiveness, and job creation.
The Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025, launched by the Federal Government in February 2026, seeks to coordinate enablers such as energy, infrastructure, finance, skills, trade, and innovation. MAN participated in stakeholder consultations and welcomed the policy’s emphasis on value-chain development, strategic sectors, MSME integration, and alignment with regional market opportunities. However, Meshioye noted that Nigeria has had industrial frameworks before, but implementation gaps, inconsistency, and weak coordination have limited their impact.
The challenge now is to translate the new framework into measurable gains, including factories operating more competitively, stronger local supply chains, increased investment, higher productivity, sustainable jobs, and greater access to domestic and export markets. To achieve this, MAN will anchor its 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the theme “Leveraging National Industrial Policy to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Industrial Hub.” The AGM is scheduled for October 5-7 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island.
The three-day program will combine a product showcase, policy dialogue, and statutory governance. The Made in Nigeria Exhibition (MiNE 2026) will run from October 5-7, promoting patronage of locally manufactured goods and connecting producers with consumers, investors, and government. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, former UNIDO director-general, will be the distinguished guest speaker, leading a discussion on turning industrial policy into productive capacity and sustainable growth.
Senior government officials, diplomats, development partners, and private sector leaders are expected to attend the AGM. On the final day, MAN will present its annual report and audited accounts, elect officers and National Council members for 2026/2027, and hold a value-added session on “Bridging Industrial Skill Gaps with Smart and Additive Manufacturing: A Manufacturing Imperative.” Meshioye appealed to the media to give visibility to the AGM, lecture, and exhibition, emphasizing the press’s key role in amplifying policy issues affecting manufacturers.
Meshioye concluded that Nigeria cannot sustainably consume its way to prosperity and must produce, add value, innovate, and compete. MAN will continue to work with the government and stakeholders to ensure industrial policy delivers tangible outcomes. The association’s efforts aim to harness Nigeria’s large market, abundant resources, entrepreneurial capacity, and significant human capital through coherent policy.
Key points
- Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) president Francis Meshioye emphasized the need for disciplined execution of Nigeria’s new industrial strategy.
- The Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 aims to deepen domestic value chains and enhance production, competitiveness, and job creation.
- The 54th AGM of MAN will focus on leveraging the national industrial policy to position Nigeria as Africa’s industrial hub.
