Industry

All Posts in "Industry"

MAN Pushes for Urgent Reforms as Q3 2025 Confidence Index Signals Fragile Manufacturing Recovery

Q3: Manufacturers CEO's confidence index up by 0.4% – MAN President - Realnews Magazine

By Fidelia Okafor

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has released the findings of its third-quarter 2025 Manufacturers CEO’s Confidence Index (MCCI) and the highlights of the 2025 MAN High-Level Think Tank Report, emphasizing the need for sustained government reforms to ensure the continued recovery and growth of the nation’s manufacturing sector.

Speaking at the official presentation of the reports in Lagos, the President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, OFR, noted that the performance of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector has remained fluctuating over the years due to persistent structural challenges.

He stressed that MAN has continued to engage government and international partners to promote industrialization and sustainable growth.

Citing key publications such as the MAN Blueprint 2.0, the Bi-Annual Economic Review, and the MCCI as tools that guide policy formulation, Meshioye said, “Through evidence-based advocacy and strategic partnerships, MAN has contributed significantly to the evolution of pro-manufacturing policies,.”

He added that while successive governments have implemented some of MAN’s policy recommendations, others were still awaiting attention.

The annual press briefing, he explained, serves as a strategic platform to urge government to revisit critical recommendations and fast-track interventions that will guarantee the survival and competitiveness of Nigerian industries.

The MAN Think Tank, according to him, is designed to deepen consultation and technical input into policy advocacy, engaging participants from academia, professional institutions, and relevant ministries.

Also speaking, the Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, mni, described the MCCI as a quarterly barometer of the perceptions and expectations of manufacturing CEOs on the economy.

He disclosed that the Aggregate Index rose modestly by 0.4 points from 50.3 in the second quarter to 50.7 in the third quarter of 2025, signaling a cautiously improving confidence level among manufacturers.

MAN DG attributed this improvement to easing inflationary pressures, a more stable exchange rate, and recent government policy adjustments.

Ajayi-Kadir, cautioned that all current indices remained below the 50-point benchmark, indicating continued fragility in the sector.

He identified high inflation, volatile exchange rates, and elevated interest rates as key drags on production performance.

MAN DG added that while current production conditions declined slightly due to energy supply disruptions, projections for the next quarter were positive, buoyed by policy incentives such as reduced interest rates, suspension of the 4% Free-on-Board levy, and tax reliefs for local raw material sourcing.

The MAN President reaffirmed that the sector was gradually inching toward full recovery, as evidenced by the consistent rise in the confidence index.

He urged the Federal Government to critically review and implement the recommendations contained in both the MCCI and Think Tank reports to consolidate gains and address lingering constraints.

“A nation that neglects manufacturing may grow in numbers but not in wealth. Real growth begins only when raw potential is refined into productive capacity,” Ajayi-Kadir remarked.

by Online Poster — October 30, 2025 in Industry

UBA Set to Unveil Whitepaper on Africa’s Financial Infrastructure

By Fidelia Okafor

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, is set to reinforce its role in shaping the continent’s financial ecosystem with the launch of its landmark whitepaper.

The whitepaper, titled “Banking on Africa’s Future: Unlocking Capital and Partnerships for Sustainable Growth,” will be unveiled on the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in October 2025 in Washington, D.C., placing Africa’s economic agenda at the heart of global financial discussions.

The document presents a comprehensive and actionable framework for unlocking Africa’s vast economic potential, providing analysis of critical growth pillars including trade facilitation, infrastructure development, digital innovation, climate finance, and inclusive growth, while showcasing strategies for leveraging domestic capital alongside strategic global partnerships to access the continent’s $3.4 trillion single market potential under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, who emphasised the strategic importance of this whitepaper, explained that over the past few years, the bank has become an active leader in conversations and activities that drive tangible investments to the continent.

“UBA is shifting Africa’s development agenda from talk to action. With this whitepaper, we are championing initiatives that convert strategic dialogue into bankable projects and direct investments. Our commitment to execute these plans for the benefit of the continent and its people cannot be overemphasised,” Elumelu said. “We are committed partners in Africa’s development and sustainability and will continue to provide the capital, the platform, and the network needed to transform Africa’s vast potential into economic growth.”

UBA’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, remarked on the white paper’s significance, highlighting the urgent need for private sector leadership.

“This whitepaper is a call to action and a statement of our capability,” Alawuba said. “It underlines our unique position in facilitating the partnerships and capital flows required to finance Africa’s future, providing the blueprint for action. The document delivers critical insights at a defining moment for Africa’s financial infrastructure.”

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with more than 25,000 employees group-wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial, and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.

by Online Poster — October 17, 2025 in Industry

MAN, UNIDO Lament Low Manufacturing Contribution to GDP

By Fidelia Okafor

•Describe FG’s Nigeria’s First policy as rallying call for economic revival

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) have bemoaned the declining contribution of the manufacturing sector to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the past decade and what they described as the country’s shift from production to consumption.

They made these observations Tuesday in Lagos, at the opening ceremony of a 3-Day Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition (MiNE) with the theme “Nigeria First: Prioritising Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria,” which was part of the activities marking the 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of MAN.

The President of MAN, Mr. Francis Meshioye, in his welcome address, decried the continued shrinking of the Nigerian manufacturing sector and the troubling shift of the Nigerian economy from production to consumption.

Meshioye, however, described the Nigeria First policy, which advocates for prioritised patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products, as a rallying call that speaks directly to Nigeria’s economic survival and long-term transformation.

He said: “Recent developments in the economy remind us of the urgency of this call.

“In particular, the figures from the rebased Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP), published by the National Bureau of Statistics, are striking.

“It shows that industry’s share of GDP declined from 27.65 per cent in the 2010 base year to 21.08 per cent under the 2019 rebased structure.

“Moreover, the manufacturing sector’s average 5-year performance is negative (–0.76 per cent), particularly between 2019 and 2024, whilst sectors such as services and agriculture expanded!

“This underscores a deeper concern. Nigeria’s industrial base continues to shrink. In essence, the rebased GDP figures signal a troubling shift from production to consumption; and from production to services and informal value creation.

“This is definitely not sustainable.”

Meshioye argued that if Nigeria “will build a resilient, inclusive and forward-looking economy that investors will have confidence in, we must re-industrialise, and that process must begin with deliberate support for local manufacturers.”

He explained that “The ‘Nigeria First’ agenda is not about closing our doors to the world; it is about opening the right doors to Nigerian-made solutions, Nigerian jobs, and Nigerian ingenuity.”

He also called for a legislation that would codify the prioritisation of Made-in-Nigeria in legal framework with institutionilised mechanism that would ensure full implementation, enforcement and monitoring of the execution of Nigeria First policy with provisions for consequences for non-compliance.

“We should eliminate the prevalence of selective compliance. Now is the time to create the policy framework for transitioning the Nigeria First policy from executive pronouncements to legislative imperative and ultimately to unfettered and bold implementation.

“We cannot continue to allow policy inertia to undermine our development potential,” Meshioye said.

He added that beyond policy enforcement, Nigeria, “must also establish a functional, independent compliance agency or institution tasked with auditing patronage levels, recommending corrective action, and publicly disclosing performance across Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.

“Let it be known which institutions are genuinely driving local economic empowerment and those that are not. And we should take evident and far reaching corrective and disciplinary measures against the latter. Only then can we truly align government spending with our industrial policy goals.”

The president of MAN also stated that corporate Nigeria also has a responsibility to align with the “Nigeria First” vision of Mr. President, arguing that “multinationals, conglomerates, and large procurement organisations must look within for raw materials, packaging, and inputs.

“Many of these are already produced locally to global standards and should not be overlooked due to legacy procurement practices or cost assumptions that no longer hold true when long-term economic value is properly considered.”

Speaking in the same vein in his keynote speech as the special guest of honour at the MiNE, the UNIDO Representative in Nigeria, Amb. Philbert Abaka Johnson, said Tinubu’s Nigeria First policy offered a clear pathway to scale domestic patronage of Nigerian products and services.

Johnson, therefore, emphasised that “the call to ‘prioritise patronage of Made-in-Nigeria’ must go beyond rhetoric and patriotic sentiments.”

He said that the call, “is a strategic economic proposition that can only succeed with deliberate, coherent and coordinated action at all levels of Nigerian society.

“Nigeria First’ is therefore not about isolation. It is about intelligent integration. It is about ensuring that Nigerian producers have a fair chance to compete, to scale and to contribute meaningfully to national development.”

Johnson said Nigeria First was about ensuring that every public procurement decision, every corporate purchase and every consumer choice help build local capacity and strengthen the national value.

He said: “It means efficient production, responsible consumption, quality products and value addition.”

He said that UNIDO firmly believed that strong manufacturing base is the bedrock of sustainable development.

“Yet, as rightly noted by the president of MAN, the sector’s share of the GDP has declined over the past decade.

“To reverse this trend, our intervention must be sound, deliberate, coherent, and coordinated across following four interlinked drivers of competitiveness: infrastructure and energy reliability, access to finance, skills and technology, market access and trade facilitation,” Johnson said.

He also recommended that institutional monitoring, periodic evaluation, transparent reporting and capacity development would ensure that local content meant high-quality content.

“When Nigerian products are trusted, they will be patronised and not just at home but globally,” Johnson said.

by Online Poster — October 16, 2025 in Industry

MAN Advocates For ‘Proudly Nigeria Day’ to Boost Local Consumption

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has reiterate its call for the Federal Government to designate an annual “Proudly Nigeria Day.”

President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye OFR giving more perspective to this demand at the opening ceremony of the MAN 53rd Annual General Meeting Tuesday in Lagos said “On this Day, all citizens, especially public officials, should wear, use, and consume only Made-in-Nigeria products.

“Let it be a day of national economic reflection, one that fosters behavioural change and renews national pride. Over time, such a tradition will strengthen consumer awareness and shift cultural perceptions in favour of local products.”

Speaking further on the theme of the AGM “Nigeria First: Prioritizing Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria” Meshioye said the “Nigeria First” agenda is not about closing the doors to the world; it is about opening the right doors to Nigerian-made solutions, Nigerian jobs, and Nigerian ingenuity.

“Every industrialised country in the world today began its journey by nurturing local content and leveraging public and private procurement as an avenue for galvanising scale production and economic development. Nigeria must not go the opposite direction.

“As a matter of urgency, we must institutionalise mechanisms that prioritise Made-in-Nigeria products in government contracts, public spending, and private-sector procurement. Existing Executive Orders—including 003 and 005—must be aligned with the Nigeria First Policy and fully implemented, enforced and monitored. Quite importantly, there must be consequences for non-compliance. We should eliminate the prevalence of selective compliance. Now is the time to create the policy framework for transitioning the Nigeria First Policy from executive pronouncements to legislative imperative and ultimately to unfettered and bold implementation. We cannot continue to allow policy inertia to undermine our development potential,” he said.

Meshioye pointed out that “Beyond policy enforcement, we must also establish a functional, independent compliance agency or institution tasked with auditing patronage levels, recommending corrective action, and publicly disclosing performance across Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government. Let it be known which institutions are genuinely driving local economic empowerment and those that are not. And we should take evident and far reaching corrective and disciplinary measures against the latter. Only then can we truly align government spending with our industrial policy goals.

“Additionally, we have intensified the conversation within! Corporate Nigeria also has a responsibility to align with the “Nigeria First” vision of Mr. President. Multinationals, conglomerates, and large procurement organisations must look within for raw materials, packaging, and inputs. Many of these are already produced locally to global standards and should not be overlooked due to legacy procurement practices or cost assumptions that no longer hold true when long-term economic value is properly considered.”

The MAN President noted that for “Nigeria First” to succeed, supply must meet demand. And for supply to be competitive, the operating environment must improve.
“Let us be clear that manufacturers in Nigeria operate under a tough business environment. Energy costs remain astronomically high. Access to credit is constrained by rising interest rates and limited long-term finance. Infrastructure gaps persist, particularly in logistics and transportation. Insecurity continues to inhibit progressive business planning and operations. In general and despite the onset of relative stability, a lot still needs to be done to overcome macroeconomic headwinds. We must take intentional action to overcome these binding constraints and promote an environment that solves for planning and competitiveness.”

He said MAN is deepening its engagement with the government to shape reforms in infrastructure development, tax policy, industrial financing, and trade facilitation.
“We are expanding our research capacity to better inform advocacy. We are also investing in partnerships that will enable technology upgrade, skills development, and regional market access under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“But all our efforts will count for little if the demand side is not unlocked. A truly transformative industrial policy is in the offing and its diligent implementation should support a national demand plan—one that maps out where procurement opportunities exist and how Nigerian manufacturers can be integrated into the demand chains. We must be intentional, just as China is with the Made-in-China 2025; just as India is with the Atmanirbhar Bharat, and just as every successful industrial nation has been,” Meshioye advised.

by Online Poster — October 15, 2025 in Industry

Dangote Refinery Clarifies Feedstock Imports, Reaffirms High-Quality Petrol Production

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed recent media reports alleging that it is importing finished petrol with high sulphur content into Nigeria, describing the claims as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Friday, the company explained that, as a world-scale complex refinery, it processes a wide range of crude oils and intermediate feedstocks, which is a standard global practice aimed at optimising production and product quality.

“The cargo in question is an intermediate feedstock, not finished petrol,” the company said. “It will be fully refined in our processing units to meet both Nigerian and international quality standards.”

Operating within a Free Trade Zone, Dangote Petroleum Refinery said it refines and sells only high-quality fuels that comply with all regulatory specifications. The company added that its exports of petroleum products to the United States and Europe, among the world’s most regulated markets, underscore its adherence to international benchmarks for quality and safety.

Dangote Refinery further noted that all imported feedstocks are accompanied by quality certificates, which are transparently shared with regulators. “We are also willing to make these documents available to the public in the interest of full transparency and accountability,” the statement added.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s energy independence, maintaining global best practices, and delivering cleaner, high-quality fuels for both domestic and international markets.

Read Full Statement Below

Clarification on Importation of Intermediate Feedstocks

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has noted reports claiming it is importing finished petrol (PMS) with high sulphur content into Nigeria. These reports are false, malicious, and misleading.

As a world-scale complex refinery, Dangote processes a range of crude oils and intermediate feedstocks, a standard global practice aimed at optimising production and quality. The cargo in question is an intermediate feedstock, not finished petrol, and will be fully refined in our units to meet Nigerian and international quality standards.

Operating within a Free Trade Zone, Dangote Petroleum Refinery refines and sells only high-quality fuels, compliant with all regulatory specifications. Our exports of petroleum products to the United States and Europe, among the world’s most regulated markets, underscore our adherence to global benchmarks.

All imports are accompanied by quality certificates and shared transparently with regulators. Dangote Petroleum Refinery is also willing to make these documents available to the public in the interest of full transparency and accountability.

Dangote Refinery remains fully committed to advancing Nigeria’s energy independence, upholding the highest standards of quality and transparency, and delivering cleaner fuels for Nigeria and beyond.

by Online Poster — October 11, 2025 in Industry

Airtel Africa Champions Youth Empowerment With 100 Technology Scholarships

By Winifred Bosa

Following the recent announcement by its Chairman, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, at a World Press Conference held in Lagos recently, the Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria, has kicked off its Undergraduate Tech Scholarship Programme to benefit 100 Nigerian undergraduates.

This initiative will provide each recipient with a grant covering tuition, accommodation, study materials, and a stipend from the first year of study through the final year.

This financial aid removes economic barriers, empowering students to dedicate their focus to academic and technical achievement in technology.

Eligible courses of study include Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and other ICT-related disciplines.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Ogunsanya affirmed that the scholarships represent the Foundation’s continued commitment to breaking down barriers for young Africans.

“At Airtel Africa Foundation, our vision has always been to create opportunities where talent meets ambition. With this scholarship, we are investing in Nigeria’s future tech leaders, giving them the resources and confidence to thrive in an increasingly digital world,” he stated.

Beneficiaries are selected from 100-level students enrolled in approved programmes in participating public universities across the country.

These institutions include the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), and Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED).

Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, noted: “The prioritization of education as a pillar of our social investments becomes much stronger with these 100 new scholarships. They build on such other initiatives as our partnership with UNICEF on the Reimagine Education Programme, our Adopt-A-School project, and our 1 billion naira investment in the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) effort of the Federal Government.

Ultimately, for us as an organisation, the best way to equip the future is to arm it with cutting-edge education.”

The undergraduate scholarship is a direct component of the Foundation’s four strategic pillars of Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion (FEED).

by Online Poster — October 10, 2025 in Industry

SON To Hold 2025 World Standard Day to support Sustainable Development Goals

...Walk for Standards holds October 11th

By Fidelia Okafor

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, would join the rest of the world to celebrate the 2025 World Standards day with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals,SDG.

Announcing SON’s participation in a statement, the organisation’s Director, Corporate Affairs –Mrs Talatu Ethan –stated that the event would be commemorated as usual with a “Walk For Standards” on Saturday, 11th October.

The day is celebrated globally to commemorate the collaborative efforts of thousands of experts worldwide who developed voluntary technical agreements known as international standards.

Last year’s edition was a huge success with the day used to draw necessary attention to Artificial Intelligence.

The Worlds Standards Day has therefore become a veritable platform which stakeholders in different sectors of the economy look forward to for enlightenment, not only on updates on standardization issues, but also on key global issues that are impacting businesses and living.

Giving details of the event, Ethan stated; “The Theme of the 2025 Worlds Standards Day is: Shared Vision For a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 17: Partnership For the Goals. The great occasion will be marked with a “Walk For Standards” to raise awareness on the critical role of Standards in everyday life and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

“This will be on Saturday, 11th October, 2025, at 8.00am and participants would converge at SON’s Ogba office, from where we will be walking through Adeniyi Jones to Aromire street and then to Allen Avenue Junction, and from there to Ikeja bridge by Awolowo House Roundabout, to the popular Computer village, to Oba Akran avenue, back to SON’s Ogba office.”

The Director said the Director General of SON –Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke – would be delighted to have as many Nigerians as possible, plus foreigners living in the country, to participate in the programme.

“Indeed, everyone is invited. Participation is free and we will be pleased to have people trooping in for the walk as a demonstration of their commitment to Standards and Sustainability, just as the event can be maximized for exercise, networking and possible business opportunities”, Ethan also stated.

by Online Poster — October 6, 2025 in Health

MAN President Announces Aliko Dangote As Guest Speak On Nigeria First Policy At MAN’s 53rd AGM

By Fidelia Okafor

Alhaji Aliko Dangote GCON, Africa’s leading industrialist, the President/CEO of Dangote Group, will be the Guest Speaker at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM).

MAN will use the AGM to deepen the conversation on how to unlock the full potential of the Nigeria First policy.

The theme for this year’s Annual General Meeting “Nigeria First: Prioritizing Patronage of Made in Nigeria” underscores MAN’s unwavering belief that prioritizing local production is the surest path to sustainable growth, employment generation and national development.

President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye disclosed this while delivering his speech at a press conference on Wednesday in Lagos to herald the upcoming 53rd AGM of the MAN, scheduled to hold from Tuesday, 14th to Thursday, 16th October 2025 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said, “We are also thrilled to announce that our Distinguished Guest Speaker at this year’s Annual General Meeting is Alhaji Aliko Dangote GCON, Africa’s leading industrialist, President/ CEO of the Dangote Group. Aliko Dangote’s story is an epitome of the Nigeria First spirit.

“He has built one of Africa’s largest Conglomerates, spanning cement, sugar, salt, fertilizers, and oil refinery. His investment has redefined the Nigeria industrial landscape, created thousands of jobs, and reducing dependence on imports. His business decisions, over the past decades, capture the very essence of our theme: “Nigeria First: Prioritizing Patronage of Made in Nigeria.

“His presence will inspire our discussions as we navigate the next phase of Nigeria Industrial growth.

Meshioye said the three-day lineup of activities would be rich and impactful.

“Day one kicks off with the Opening Ceremony of the Made in Nigeria Exhibition which is slated for 12noon. Our distinguished Guest of Honour, who will be officially cutting the ribbon is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume CON; we believe his presence will serve the purpose of further attracting the attention of Government to what is Made in Nigeria, in order to achieve that top of the mind awareness and credible support from the highest level of government. Our distinguished guest of honour will be joined by other dignitaries to draw attention to made in Nigeria products and preach the patriotic gospel of patronage of made in Nigeria at the Exhibition. More than 100 exhibitors will be showcasing their products and thousands of visitors are expected during the 3-day period.

“Day two is planned to be strictly MAN members affairs for the annual general meeting. After the AGM, members will be engaged at a value addition panel discussion on 3D Manufacturing & Risk and Enterprise Management. It is a session planned to give credible accounts to members, create awareness, and sensitize them adequately on thriving in the business of manufacturing.

“On Day three, the engagement will be climaxing with the 5th edition of the Adeola Odutola Lecture/Presidential Luncheon scheduled for Thursday, October 16th, 2025 at 11am with Alhaji Aliko Dangote as our Distinguished Guest Speaker. The exhibition ground will continue to receive guests from far and near, even as we engage at the high-profile lecture. Our Special Guest of Honour on this occasion is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Other Economic Ministers, heads of government departments and agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, our colleagues in the Organized Private Sector, and other stakeholders will join our members to make the grand finale a huge success.

Meshioye said that these sessions are carefully designed to provoke critical discussions, foster partnership, and highlight the urgency of implementing the “Nigeria First” Policy.

“Over the past year, Nigeria’s economic environment has remained challenging, yet it is marked by renewed hope, as bold policy steps are being taken to reposition the economy for growth. Of particular importance is the introduction of the “Nigeria First” Policy, a decisive strategy to prioritize locally manufactured goods and services.

“This policy represents a turning point for our nation, one that seeks to foster economic self-reliance, industrialization, and national pride. By mandating all Ministries, Departments, and agencies (MDAs) to patronize made in Nigeria goods and services that can be sourced locally, the Federal Government has signalled its resolve to place local industries at the heart of economic transformation.

“The “Nigeria First” Policy is more than a policy directive, it is a call to action to strengthen our industries, deepen local value chains and reposition Nigeria from being a consumer driven economy to a productive economy,” he encouraged.

by Online Poster — October 4, 2025 in Industry

MAN’s 53rd AGM: A Platform for Nigeria First Policy Discussions

MAN hails Nigeria First policy at 53rd AGM

By Fidelia Okafor

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) will use the platform of its 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) to deepen conversation on how to unlock the full potential of the Nigeria First policy.

President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye disclosed this while delivering his speech at a press conference today in Lagos to herald the upcoming 53rd AGM of the MAN, scheduled to hold from Tuesday, 14th to Thursday, 16th October 2025 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said “We are also thrilled to announce that our Distinguished Guest Speaker at this year’s Annual General Meeting is Alhaji Aliko Dangote GCON, Africa’s leading industrialist, President/ CEO of the Dangote Group. Aliko Dangote’s story is an epitome of the Nigeria First spirit.

“He has built one of Africa’s largest Conglomerates, spanning cement, sugar, salt, fertilizers and oil refinery. His investment has redefined Nigeria Industrial landscape, created thousands of jobs and reducing dependence on imports. His business decisions, over the past decades, capture the very essence of our theme: “Nigeria First: Prioritizing Patronage of Made in Nigeria.

“His presence will inspire our discussions as we navigate the next phase of Nigeria Industrial growth.

Meshioye said the three-day lineup of activities would be rich and impactful.

“Day two is planned to be strictly MAN members affairs for the annual general meeting. After the AGM, members will be engaged at a value addition panel discussion on 3D Manufacturing & Risk and Enterprise Management. It is a session planned to give credible accounts to members, create awareness and sensitize them adequately on thriving in the business of manufacturing.

“On Day three, the engagement will be climaxing with the 5th edition of the Adeola Odutola Lecture/Presidential Luncheon scheduled for Thursday, October 16th, 2025 at 11am with Alhaji Aliko Dangote as our Distinguished Guest Speaker. The exhibition ground will continue to receive guests from far and near, even as we engage at the high-profile Lecture. Our Special Guest of Honour on this occasion is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Other Economic Ministers, heads of government departments and agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, our colleagues in the Organized Private Sector and other stakeholders will join our members to make the grand finale a huge success.

Meshioye said that these sessions are carefully designed to provoke critical discussions, foster partnership and highlight the urgency of implementing the “Nigeria First” Policy.

“This policy represents a turning point for our nation, one that seeks to foster economic self-reliance, industrialization and national pride. By mandating all Ministries, Departments, and agencies (MDAs) to patronize made in Nigeria goods and services that can be sourced locally, the Federal Government has signalled its resolve to place local industries at the heart of economic transformation.

by Online Poster — October 1, 2025 in Industry

Dangote Refinery Accuses PENGASSAN Of Economic Sabotage

.. Directive Threatens Fuel Availability, Government Revenue

Amaka Obiefuna

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has accused the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) of attempting to sabotage the country’s energy supply chain following a directive issued by the union to its branches to cut off crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the company described the directive as “a brazen display of lawlessness and criminality,” warning that the move could plunge Nigeria back into widespread fuel scarcity and disrupt the availability of key petroleum products, including petrol, aviation fuel, kerosene, diesel, and cooking gas.

According to Dangote Refinery, PENGASSAN on 26 September instructed its members in various multinational oil companies and subsidiaries including TotalEnergies, Seplat, Renaissance, Chevron, Oando, Shell Nigeria Gas, and NGIC to halt crude oil loading operations and cut off gas supply to the facility “with immediate effect.”

The refinery stressed that the union has no legal authority to interfere with contracts signed between the refinery and its suppliers, insisting that such interference amounts to “economic sabotage” against both the company and the Nigerian state.

“This is a brazen, albeit shocking display of lawlessness and criminality by PENGASSAN. Absolutely no law gives PENGASSAN the right to direct its branches to “cut off” gas and crude oil supplies to Dangote Refinery or at all. There is also no law in our statute books that would support or enable the PENGASSAN branches having to “cut off” gas and crude oil supplies to Dangote Refinery or at all,” the statement read. “Besides, it constitutes a criminal conduct for PENGASSAN or its members to disrupt and/or interfere howsoever in the contract between Dangote Refinery and its various vendors for the supply of gas and crude oil to the Refinery. Those supply contracts were not entered into with PENGASSAN; they were entered into by Dangote Refinery with third party vendors and suppliers and PENGASSAN has no right whatsoever to disrupt and/or interfere with the performance of those contracts”.

It noted that PENGASSAN needs to be reminded that Nigeria is a country governed by laws.

“Our laws do not brook self-help and mob action that could introduce mayhem and chaos and easily translate into anarchy,” it added.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery, world’s largest single-train refinery and one of Nigeria’s highest taxpayers, argued that the directive undermines investor confidence and threatens revenues accruing to federal and state governments. The company also described the refinery as a strategic national asset that should be safeguarded rather than targeted.

“We are, by this write-up, drawing the attention of the Federal Government and its security and law enforcement agencies – as well as all other levels of governments in Nigeria – to this criminal, lawless, reckless and irresponsible conduct of PENGASSAN and calling on them – the Federal Government and its agencies, in particular – to call the Association to order. PENGASSAN has no right to introduce anarchy and mayhem into our society. The Association is not above the law, and it must not be allowed to believe that it is or behave as if it is,” it said

The statement further criticised the union for what it called “a contradictory stance,” noting that while PENGASSAN had earlier pledged to pursue legal action against the refinery, it “abandoned the path of lawfulness and embraced mob action.”

The refinery noted that apart from the lawlessness and criminality inherent in the PENGASSAN’s instruction to its branches, the Association’s directive amounts to economic sabotage at multiple levels.

“In plain language, PENGASSAN has directed its branches to disrupt and stop the supply of petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery to Nigerians. The products that would be disrupted and stopped include but are not limited to aviation fuel, petrol, kerosene, diesel and cooking gas – all products that are used and required by all stripes of Nigerians and persons living in Nigeria, whether high and mighty or lowly and ordinary. In what circumstance would it be justified for PENGASSAN to so disrupt and introduce insufferable hardship into the living conditions of Nigerians? None that we can see. The follow up question is, in whose interest and on whose behalf is PENGASSAN directing and intending to inflict such anarchic and criminal disruption upon the Nigerian society and persons living in Nigeria? Most certainly, not in the interest of the Nigerian State and/or the Nigerian public and citizens,” it added.

It stressed that it is also economic sabotage against the Nigerian State at multiple levels as the Dangote Refinery is the only refinery of its type in Africa and ordinarily should be the pride of all Nigerians as well as the governments of Nigeria.

“It should ordinarily have special protection and status and indeed qualifies as a strategic national asset. An irreparable injury to the Dangote Refinery such as PENGASSAN has directed constitutes a national embarrassment to all of us. The directive is a disincentive to external investors who ordinarily would have been encouraged by the success of Dangote Refinery to contemplate investing in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector or generally. PENGASSAN may also not be aware that Dangote Refinery is one of the largest contributors to the revenue purse of the Nigerian governments – both Federal and sub-nationals. That contribution is currently threatened by PENGASSAN and would of course be paused if and as soon as and for as long as the PENGASSAN directive is implemented by its branches,” it added.

Calling on the federal government and security agencies to intervene, the company urged Nigerians to resist any attempt to disrupt refinery operations, warning that compliance with the directive would cause “irreparable hardship” for households and businesses nationwide.

“We are also calling on all Nigerians to take note of the unquantifiable and irredeemable hardship which PENGASSAN wishes to inflict on all of us. There is no Nigerian household that does not use or need the petroleum products which PENGASSAN has now directed its branches, by fiat, to withdraw from the Nigerian market – again, we list some of them: petrol, cooking gas, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. The production and supply of these products by Dangote Refinery would cease if the PENGASSAN cabal is allowed or permitted to enforce its lawless and criminal “directive”. The Association must not be allowed to ride roughshod on Nigerians. The repercussions from the PENGASSAN directive would affect and inflict harm on all Nigerians This is therefore a fight for all Nigerians,” noted the statement.

by Online Poster — September 29, 2025 in Industry