The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has raised concerns over the country’s manufacturing sector, attributing its underperformance to poor government policy execution.
According to MAN, the sector is currently operating at less than 50% of its installed capacity due to the government’s failure to effectively implement policies designed to boost production.
Speaking at the 2024 Access Corporate Forum in Lagos, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the Director General of MAN, expressed disappointment over the lack of sustained commitment from successive administrations to develop domestic production.
While governments have repeatedly promised to enhance the local manufacturing sector, their actions have fallen short, leaving the sector neglected and deprioritized.
Ajayi-Kadir highlighted that this lack of government follow-through has stunted growth, keeping the industry from reaching its full potential.
“As a result of these factors, the manufacturing sector in Nigeria has continued to perform at less than 50 percent of its installed capacity,” he explained.
Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, also addressed the forum, underscoring the need for stronger government backing for local manufacturers.
He argued that supporting local industries is far more effective than relying on foreign investments. Dangote stressed that domestic investment is key to attracting international investors.
Dangote also expressed frustration with the prevalence of imported products, especially in everyday items like snacks.
His words: “What attracts foreign investment is domestic investment. No domestic investments, no foreign investments.
“So, we have to make sure that we support our domestic investors.
“I went to two places on Wednesday and I was a bit angry. I wanted to eat snacks and all the biscuits that I was given in these two different places were made in China, which is wrong.
“If we are consuming made in China biscuits, it means that we are actually creating jobs in China and creating poverty here.
“So, we need to have proper support for domestic industries.”
Dangote urged the federal government to take concrete steps to support domestic industries, particularly small businesses, to help them compete against the influx of foreign goods and prevent the loss of local jobs.
