The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has hailed the Federal Government’s recent directive to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to prioritise locally manufactured goods as a strategic step towards revamping Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking at the 11th Annual General Meeting of the Kwara/Kogi States branch of the association held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, MAN President, Francis Meshioye, described the directive as a potential game-changer for the country’s economic growth.
Represented by the Director General of MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Meshioye called on the government to not only issue such directives but also ensure strict implementation.
“This policy, if enforced properly, will serve as a powerful catalyst for domestic production, job creation, and inclusive growth. In this regard, we call on the Federal Government to put speed to the implementation of the Nigeria First Policy. “This should be marked by the mandatory patronage of made in Nigeria products by all government ministries, departments and agencies of government; the legislature and the judiciary, at all levels of government.
“All our uniformed agencies should source their vehicle, uniforms, shoes and other materials from Nigerian companies. All government contractors should be obliged to give priority to sourcing their materials from indigenous companies. “Above all, there should be consequences for non-compliance. It is also of critical importance for the CBN to expedite the payment of the long-overdue forex forwards being owed to manufacturers.
“The outstanding $2.4bn has remained largely unpaid, and innocent manufacturers are literally bleeding from the double whammy of endless payment of needless interest in Naira and foreign currency,” he added.
The association expressed concern over what it described as a stifling operating environment, citing heavy tax burdens, erratic power supply, and foreign exchange volatility as major hurdles confronting manufacturers across the country.
In his remarks, the Senator representing Kwara North, Sadiq Umar, emphasised the critical role of manufacturing in national development.
“No country can attain sustainable growth without a strong manufacturing base. “The resilience of Nigerian manufacturers remains the beacon of hope in our economic journey,” he said.
Chairman of MAN Kwara/Kogi, Mr. Mubarak Shittu, painted a grim picture of the current state of the sector, lamenting that the removal of petroleum and electricity subsidies, along with the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, have severely crippled many industrial establishments.
“We urgently call on the government to intensify efforts on foreign exchange access, reduce lending rates, harmonise multiple taxes, and provide comprehensive bailout programmes for manufacturers,” he said.
He further appealed for an urgent review of the escalating electricity tariffs and the high cost of power, calling for the facilitation of a gas pipeline to Kwara State to serve both the Northern and Southern regions of the country.
According to him, such a move would provide critical energy relief and attract more manufacturing investments to the state.
The MAN chairman also urged the Kwara State Government to accelerate work on the Industrial Park Project and reduce the cost of perfecting legal mortgages, which he said would lower the overall cost of borrowing for manufacturers.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr Saheed Basiru stressed the importance of consistent and inclusive policymaking.
He advised that the government should consult industry stakeholders before introducing new policies that impact the sector.
“Policy inconsistency remains a major challenge. The government must not only formulate good policies but ensure they are implemented to the letter,” Basiru said.
