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Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on Friday announced its readiness to host a closed-door manufacturer’s summit with key stakeholders from the Federal Government and ministries, departments and agencies.
According to a press release signed by the Director-General of the association, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the summit is scheduled to be held from June 4 to 6, 2024 at the Banquet/Conference Hall, State House, Abuja.
The Director-General stressed that the invitation-only summit will be held in partnership with the Office of the President, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies and EY.
He said the three-day summit with the theme “Rethinking Manufacturing” was necessary to address the state of the manufacturing industry, which remains a major concern for government, industrialists and Nigerians.
He noted that the theme stressed the need to practically address the myriad challenges that constrain manufacturing output by adopting innovative strategies to ensure that the industry becomes more productive, competitive and sustainable.
Ajayi-Kadir said President Bola Tinubu will officiate at the opening session while Vice President Kassim Shettima will chair the afternoon session.
“The presence of the President underscores the government’s commitment to revitalizing the Nigerian manufacturing sector.
“Manufacturers hope that the discussions will provide valuable insights into policy directions, government expectations and practical solutions to binding constraints.
He said, “The summit will include focus group discussions between senior government officials, industry representatives and experts, insightful presentations on emerging trends and best practices in the manufacturing sector, an exhibition of Made in Nigeria products, networking opportunities for collaboration and partnership building, and the display of innovative products, technologies and solutions for the Nigerian manufacturing sector, adding that the technical focus group session will bring together relevant ministries, departments and agencies, senior CEOs of manufacturing companies, continental trade bodies, subject matter experts and academicians to discuss the five pillars of the summit.
He further states that the focus points of the summit include how to;
- Promote growth, upscale productivity and improve 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.
He added that 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.
“The expectation is to reach a consensus with the Federal Government on the imperatives for the 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”. He said
