Homegrown Innovation To Strengthen Indigenous Economy – Manufacturers

Manufacturers under the auspices of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have stressed the urgent need for Nigeria to adopt and invest in indigenous manufacturing technologies to reduce reliance on foreign solutions, strengthen the economy, and enhance long-term national resilience.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos ahead of the 2025 Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment (NME) Expo and the Nigerian Raw Materials (NIRAM) Expo, director-general, MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir said, true resilience lies in homegrown innovation.

The expos, jointly organised by MAN and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) is scheduled for August 5 to 7, 2025, in Lagos.

Ajayi-Kadir explained that the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the dangers of foreign dependency.

‘If you are going to build resilience, you must be indigenous to the solutions you have,’ he said, adding that the expos will help manufacturers and equipment users co-create technologies suitable for local production needs.

He noted that, while some foreign technologies may not be immediately replicable, collaboration between stakeholders can lead to the creation of adapted versions for Nigeria’s context. 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, he said.

Ajayi-Kadir warned against blindly adopting foreign environmental technologies, suggesting that international standards are sometimes adjusted to undermine the competitiveness of developing nations.

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, he said, likening it to a form of modern economic control.

He added that, while Nigeria should be environmentally responsible, it must not prematurely abandon fossil fuels or coal. Instead, he advocated for investing in research to make existing energy sources cleaner.

Echoing his views, MAN president, Francis Meshioye said the 2025 Expo, themed ‘Accelerating Sustainable Manufacturing through Cutting-edge Technology Solutions,’ aims to ignite discussions around sustainability and innovation.

He said the focus would be on showcasing locally fabricated machines and exploring collaborations with foreign players to boost the quality of local products.

The goal is to showcase what is possible in Nigeria. Let’s see the innovation within and only then look outward for improvement, not replacement, Meshioye said.

Key features of the Expo will include technologies for energy efficiency, smart factories powered by artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, as well as waste reduction techniques. There will also be a special session dedicated to ‘Women in Manufacturing’, designed to mentor and empower female entrepreneurs.

Also speaking at the event, Overseeing Director of State Industrial Extension Services at RMRDC, Dr. Edith Obi said, the Expo aligns with the council’s vision to add value to Nigeria’s raw materials and reduce exports in their unprocessed form.

She referenced the 30 per cent Value Addition Bill, which has passed through two readings in the Senate and is now awaiting presidential assent. “Once signed into law, the bill will prohibit the export of raw materials unless they have at least 30 per cent local value added,” she said.