MAN, FG Partner To Host Closed-door Manufacturers Summit

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has partnered with the federal government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies to host a closed-door Manufacturers Summit.

The summit taking place from June 4th to 6th, 2024 in Abuja is organised in partnership with the Presidency; Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies and EY.

The three-day summit with the theme ‘Rethinking Manufacturing’ is necessitated by the state of the manufacturing sector, which has remained a major concern to the government, industrialists and Nigerians. Evidently, the theme underscores the need for practical solutions to the myriad of challenges limiting manufacturing performance through the adoption of innovative strategies that can guarantee higher productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability of the sector. 

The director-general of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir in a statement sent to LEADERSHIP said “President Bola Tinubu is the Special Guest of Honour at the summit and will preside over the opening ceremony. 

“Clearly, the presence of the Presidency underscores the commitment of the government to the revitalisation of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria. Manufacturers are expecting that the engagements would provide valuable insights on the policy direction, expectations of the government and practical solutions to the binding constraints.”

He added that “the Summit will feature focus group discussions between top level government officials, industry operators and experts; insightful presentations on emerging trends and best practices in manufacturing; exhibition of made-in-Nigeria Products; networking opportunities for collaboration and partnership building; showcasing of innovative products, technologies, and solutions in the Nigerian manufacturing sector.”

According to Ajayi-Kadir, the focus group technical session will bring together relevant government ministries, Departments & Agencies, top-level CEOs of manufacturing concerns, Continental Trade Institutions, subject matter experts, Academia, under one roof to discuss the five pillars of the summit. 

“These pillars and by extension the focus points of the summit include how to: promote growth, upscale productivity and improve and competitiveness: enhance energy security and infrastructure development; improve macroeconomic environment, ease of doing business and periscoping our ESG; improve patronage of made-in-Nigeria products and local content development; and leverage regional and continental trade for export development. 

“In addition, the summit will delve into critical discussions on how to achieve sustained manufacturing growth through the creation of a conducive business environment, guaranteeing security, boosting agricultural production and strengthening supply chain resilience by leveraging technology.”

He also noted that the expectation is to reach a consensus with the federal government on the imperatives for intentional development of manufacturing in Nigeria and the crafting of a time-framed strategic roadmap for the resolution of the identified challenges and attainment of steady growth for the sector.