PHOTO (L-R) : Dr Ayotunde Coker, CEO of Open Access Data Centres; Prof Nnaleyugo Martin Ike-Muonso, Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC.; Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Folashade Ambrose- Medebem, Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment; Otunba Francis Meshioye, the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) ; Segun Ajayi-Kadir, DG MAN, during the Nigeria Manufacturing Equipment / Raw Materials Expo .
To transform Nigeria into an industrial powerhouse, it is crucial to adopt cutting-edge technologies in manufacturing processes and reduce reliance on imported raw materials.
This viewpoint was expressed by Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology; Francis Meshioye, the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); and Prof. Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso, Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) during the Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment/Nigerian Raw Materials (NME/NIRAM) Expo 2025 held in Lagos.
Nnaji stated, “As the world transitions into smart, circular, and efficient production systems, we must not lag behind.”
He emphasized that by adopting new technologies, manufacturers can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and create products that better meet the changing demands of the market.
He added, “Countries that invest in advanced technologies are growing rapidly and creating jobs.
We must do the same; that is why our ministry is supporting research that promotes local technology and encouraging industries to add value to Nigerian raw materials before exporting them.”
Francis Meshioye, the President of MAN, highlighted that the exhibition aimed to explore opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices that could drive the manufacturing industry toward a future of resilience and prosperity.
He described the NME-NIRAM Expo as a unique platform “to learn, challenge the status quo, and pave the way for advancements that will shape the manufacturing landscape in Nigeria and beyond.”
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the Director-General of MAN, remarked that the exhibition served as an important venue to recognize the role of cutting-edge technology and innovation in the productive sector of the economy.
Prof. Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso noted that Nigeria must reduce its dependence on imported raw materials by at least 60 percent over the next five years to establish itself as an industrial powerhouse.
“We must incentivize value addition through technology adoption and tax support, promote the establishment of industrial hubs, and enhance research-industry collaborations for tailored innovation,” he stated.
Ike-Muonso pointed out that Nigeria’s manufacturing sector contributed only 9.62% to GDP in Q1 2025, down from 9.8% in the same period the previous year.
“These figures expose a structural weakness,” he explained. “We export raw materials in their crude form, import them in refined quality, and lose jobs and value offshore even before production begins.”
He referenced data from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) showing that raw material imports surged by 119% to N4.53 trillion in the first nine months of 2024, with over 70 percent of manufacturing inputs sourced from abroad.
Ike-Muonso emphasized Nigeria’s vast potential, citing over 120 commercially viable solid minerals, abundant agricultural resources, and a youthful population.
“What we lack is not potential, but strategic coordination, bold implementation, and technology-backed commitment,” he said.
He urged the country to integrate advanced technologies, enhance resource efficiency, and institutionalise sustainability as a national industrial ethos.