The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed concern over the continued underperformance of the country‘s manufacturing sector, which is currently operating at less than 50 percent of its installed capacity. This troubling situation, according to MAN, is largely due to the government‘s lack of commitment to executing policies aimed at boosting the sector.
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the Director General of MAN, made this known during the 2024 Access Corporate Forum held in Lagos. Ajayi-Kadir emphasized that while successive governments have repeatedly declared their intention to promote domestic production, there has been a noticeable failure to follow through on these promises with concrete actions.
“Policy pronouncements alone are not enough,” Ajayi-Kadir said. “What we need is a sustained effort in policy execution and a consistent, collaborative approach between the public and private sectors to strengthen the manufacturing industry. Unfortunately, this has been missing.”
The Director General pointed out that the persistent lack of interest from the government in addressing the key challenges faced by the sector has resulted in stagnation. Factors such as inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent power supply, high operational costs, and difficulty in accessing raw materials continue to hinder the growth of domestic manufacturers.
Ajayi-Kadir further noted that for Nigeria to experience meaningful industrialization, the government must prioritize not just the creation of policies but also the practical implementation of these strategies. Without this commitment, he warned, the country’s manufacturing potential will remain underutilized.
The forum, which gathered stakeholders from various industries, echoed the sentiment that the Nigerian manufacturing sector holds immense potential to contribute to economic growth, reduce unemployment, and stimulate industrialization. However, achieving these goals will require a shift from mere policy declarations to effective execution and strategic investments.
MAN’s call to action serves as a reminder of the urgent need for the Nigerian government to take more decisive steps in ensuring the sustainability and growth of the manufacturing sector.
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