MAN President Meshioye Calls for Competitive Manufacturing in Nigeria

Otunba Francis Meshioye, the president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), emphasized that Nigeria's involvement in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will only be beneficial if local manufacturers can compete effectively on cost, quality, standards, and delivery. He made this statement during his welcome address at the Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition, part of MAN's 54th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos.

Meshioye highlighted that to position Nigeria as Africa's industrial hub, it is essential to create an operating environment that fosters competitive production, enhances local value addition, and develops domestic supply chains. He pointed out that while there has been some improvement in manufacturing output, high production costs are a significant concern, with manufacturers spending approximately N1.35 trillion on alternative power in 2025.

He urged the federal government to enforce Executive Orders 003 and 005, which promote the patronage of locally produced goods, and called for better support for industrial policy to ensure long-term investment stability.