The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria says Nigeria must prioritise local manufacturing technologies to reduce foreign dependency, strengthen the economy, and build long-term resilience.

Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, stated that true resilience comes from embracing indigenous solutions while speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday in Lagos ahead of the 2025 edition of the Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Expo and the Nigerian Raw Materials Expo.

MAN is organising the expo in partnership with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council.

Ajayi-Kadir cited lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining that Nigeria needs local capacity to survive during global disruptions.

 “If you are going to build resilience, you must be indigenous to the solutions that you have. We are translating the same thing to equipment so you don’t

He said the expo, scheduled to take place from August 5 to 7, 2025, in Lagos, aims to connect equipment manufacturers with users to foster collaboration and homegrown innovation.

He said, “The objective of the expo is to bring together the manufacturers and offtakers of equipment. Even if the technologies we require are not available, we’ll be able to co-create the one that will best suit the kind of product you want to use.”

Ajayi-Kadir warned against overdependence on foreign technologies, saying, “We are leaning on the ‘Nigeria First’ agenda to showcase indigenous technology. That’s why our partners will expand to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure and other government agencies that promote local technology,” he said.

MAN’s DG explained that the NME/NIRAM expo is for creating an enabling environment where technology can drive product diversification, brand differentiation, and scale.

He further cautioned against the blind adoption of foreign environmental technologies, warning that developed nations could manipulate global standards to the disadvantage of countries like Nigeria.

“I was almost going to bet with someone that if we adopt the current technology for net-zero, in the next five to ten years, the West is going to change that technology, and we’ll be running after it. It’s another way of creating slavery in terms of what you get for the future,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

He added that while Nigeria must be environmentally conscious, the country should not abandon its current energy sources prematurely. “All our sources of energy, whether fossil fuels or coal, we should continue to use them while we research into making them more environmentally friendly,” he noted.

Meanwhile, President of MAN, Francis Meshioye, said the partnering groups chose the theme of the 2025 edition, ‘Accelerating Sustainable Manufacturing through Cutting-edge Technology Solutions,’ to spark industry-wide conversations around innovation and sustainability.

Meshioye explained that the Expo is focused on promoting locally fabricated machines and raw materials, stating, “Our goal is to showcase locally fabricated machines and equipment. Let’s jointly see what is possible in Nigeria and then lean on collaboration with foreign counterparts to improve locally manufactured goods.”

He said the exhibitions will focus on cutting-edge innovations, including energy efficiency, smart factory technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, and waste reduction strategies.

Meshioye also highlighted the ‘Women in Manufacturing’ session as a key feature of the expo, aimed at mentoring aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Overseeing Director of State Industrial Extension Services at RMRDC, Dr. Edith Obi, who represented the Director-General, Prof. Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso, said the event aligns with the council’s push for greater value addition to Nigeria’s raw materials.

She said, “As you have already seen, we have the 30 per cent Value Addition Bill, which has gone through the first and second readings in the Senate. We are awaiting the President’s assent to this bill.”

She added that once signed into law, the bill will prohibit the export of raw materials without a minimum of 30 per cent local value addition.

She said RMRDC is mobilising stakeholders across the private sector, fabricators, and resource-based industries to drive industrialisation and reduce reliance on foreign goods.

“We want all of us to come together under one umbrella and talk about how to promote the raw materials so Nigeria can be self-sufficient, independent, and proud to use our products,” Obi said.

She said the upcoming expo will be a convergence point for manufacturers, users, small businesses, and innovators to engage, collaborate, and develop solutions rooted in local realities.

“We don’t want to keep saying it is made in Italy. We want to be proud of our products, and that is the essence of this expo,” she said.

Organisers said attendance is free, but pre-registration is required for planning purposes. The expo will also feature panel sessions and expert-led research presentations.