MAN Kick Start 3-Days Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition

Manufacturer Association of Nigeria kick-off it’s 3-day Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition, the MANEXPO 2023 today 17th October in Lagos, which marks the beginning of the activities lined up for the 51st Annual General Meeting of the Association.

Speaking at the event the President of MAN Otunba Francis Meshioye said the Association has consistently organized this exhibition for the past five years with the primary purpose of showcasing the strength of manufacturing in Nigeria and canvassing for the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products.

The MANEXPO2023 aligned with one of MAN’s core objectives, which is to actively encourage the widespread patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products by consumers both within and outside the country.
Meshioye stated that “in encouraging the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria product, we acknowledge the contribution of some government policies aimed at improving local content development and patronage, including Executive Orders 003 and 005.

“While it is reassuring to note the government’s avowed commitment to curbing trade practices that has turned Nigeria into a dumping ground for imported products, it is important that government takes immediate action to ensure the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of adherence to government initiatives aimed at promoting the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products among all ministries, departments and agencies of govt. This should also be cascaded to sub-nationals, including states and local governments.”

Also at the event Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, DG of MAN said, Nigeria is a leading economy in Africa, it is expected to make steady progress through accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development. There is need to support local manufacturers/MSME and Start-ups who are involved in producing made-in-Nigeria goods. Over the years, Nigeria has been growing other countries economies through over-dependence on imported goods, especially those which have local substitutes. Therefore, government should sustain the tempo through appropriate policies, provision of basic infrastructure (energy, roads, etc) and other key incentives as well as effective continued support to MAN and its members.

UNIDO is a specialised UN Agency with a broad mandate in promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development. In Nigeria, UNIDO, through the Country Programme is promoting the formulation of appropriate industrial policies, development of MSMEs and Startups by providing technical support to them to produce standard and high-quality products locally. During the Covid-19 pandemic, UNIDO supported about 174 local MSMEs to produce PPEs and other standard and quality healthcare products.

In his speech he congratulate the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and all industrialists in the country and pledge UNIDOs continuous support and collaboration to strengthen local manufacturers to produce standard and quality made-in-Nigeria products to promote economic growth, sustainable development and reduce poverty.

According to the President of MAN, we envision and anticipate a future in Nigeria where the government will designate a special day on the national calendar as ‘Proudly Nigeria Day’. On this special day, all individuals and government ministries, departments and agencies would be encouraged to dress in Made-in-Nigeria outfits and prioritize the purchase of products that are locally made.

“Such initiatives would serve as catalysts to boost both the production and consumption of Made-in-Nigeria goods, a crucial milestone in the path towards a virile and competitive manufacturing sector.

“I am convinced that massive support for the growth of domestic production through the patronage of locally made goods will greatly improve capacity utilization, job creation and manufacturing contribution to gross domestic product.”

Meshioye said that MAN remains focused and committed to its advocacy for a conducive business environment and specific targeted policies that will support the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products, saying “MAN’s commitment to promoting local content development remains a strategic cornerstone for revitalizing our struggling economy.”

MAN reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion of high quality and competitive Made-in-Nigeria products, urging “members to continue to innovate and upgrade their manufacturing processes and product standards to foster increased competitiveness. This is particularly crucial in light of the potential advantages that the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement presents for the manufacturing sector.”

Regional director for West and Central African regions, UNIDO, Mr. Jean Bakole explained that Nigeria can easily experience a breakthrough in the quest for local content development and a stable, strong and advanced economy if Nigerians would encourage the production and patronise made-in-Nigeria products.

He stated that the economy of any nation grows rapidly when locally made goods are promoted through patronage, first by its people then through export, saying that over-dependence on importation of goods weakens the currency, creates unemployment, and consistently reduces the GDP.