MAN President Addresses Media on Upcoming 51st AGM with Focus on Competitive Manufacturing in AFCFTA Era”

Otunba Francis Meshioye, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), while holding Media briefing at MAN house in Lagos yesterday, spoke about the Association’s upcoming 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled to take place from October 17-19, 2023, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel.

Meshioye narrated the importance of the manufacturing sector and the challenges it faces in the current economic climate.

He stated that the AGM’s theme, “Setting the Agenda for Competitive Manufacturing Under the AFCFTA: What Nigeria Needs to do,” which aims to address the role of the manufacturing sector in the realization of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement and the integration of the African economy.

Meshioye further expressed concern about rising manufacturing costs due to the scarcity of essential inputs, as well as issues like power supply, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and currency depreciation.

He urged the government to invest in infrastructure and power, combat insecurity and corruption, and introduce policies to promote domestic production over imports.

The MAN President stressed the need for Nigerian products to be competitive within the African market under the AfCFTA, urging solutions to the constraints that hinder local product competitiveness.

He also announced the 3rd Adeola Odutola Annual Lecture, featuring Olusegun Aganga, a former Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Economic Management Team, as the Guest Speaker. The lecture aims to suggest a policy direction for the new government, focusing on the manufacturing sector.

He concluded by outlining the schedule for the AGM, including a Made-in-Nigeria Products Exhibition, the 51st Annual General Meeting, and the Adeola Odutola Lecture, and called for support in promoting locally manufactured goods and providing positive coverage of the events.The President expressed his hope for a competitive manufacturing sector that would contribute to economic sustainability and improve the standard of living for citizens.