MAN, stakeholders tackle manufacturing challenges at summit

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has announced a partnership with the Federal Government and various stakeholders aimed at reinvigorating the country’s manufacturing sector.

The Director General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, shared this development on Tuesday at the commencement of the Nigeria Manufacturers Summit in Abuja.

With the theme “Rethinking Manufacturing,” Ajayi-Kadir emphasized the need for innovative strategies to enhance the efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria, according to a statement by MAN on Tuesday.

“The Summit will delve into critical discussions on overcoming the binding constraints that limit the performance of the manufacturing sector, enhancing supply chain resilience, leveraging technology, and generally fostering a conducive business environment to drive the growth of the sector,” Ajayi-Kadir stated.

He also mentioned that the summit is honoured to welcome President Bola Tinubu as the Special Guest of Honour.

According to Ajayi-Kadir, the gathering brought together relevant government ministries, departments, agencies, multilateral and development partners, regional institutions, corporate entities, subject matter experts, and manufacturers across all sectors.

Ajayi-Kadir said discussions at the summit are specifically designed to focus on five major pillars: “Promoting growth, upscaling productivity and improving competitiveness; enhancing energy security and infrastructure development; improving the macroeconomic environment and ease of doing business.

Others include, “Enhancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, improving patronage of Made in Nigeria products, and local content development; and leveraging regional and continental trade for export development.

“Owing to the importance of the discourse, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, a leading business membership and advocacy body, is collaborating with the Presidency; Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI); National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS); and Ernst and Young (EY) to host the summit,” Ajayi-Kadir said.