L-R: Director-General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir; National Chairman, Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan,and President MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, during the 2025 MAN Personality Award event, held in Lagos, today.
The National Chairman of the Commerce and Industry Association of Nigeria (CICAN), Comrade Taiwo Hassan, has called for sustained policy stability, enhanced incentives for industry journalists and stronger continental collaboration to reposition Nigeria’s manufacturing sector for growth.
Hassan made the call while delivering an address at the 10th edition of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Media Personality of the Year Award and Presidential Media Luncheon, held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at MAN House, 77 Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
The event brought together MAN leadership, captains of industry, senior executives and members of the commerce and industry press, marking a decade of recognising excellence in manufacturing sector reportage across print, broadcast and digital media platforms.
Speaking shortly after the inauguration of a new CICAN executive council, Hassan described the occasion as symbolic, noting that CICAN remains a committed partner in MAN’s advocacy for Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. He commended MAN President, Otunba Francis Meshioye, and the Corporate Affairs and Strategic Planning Committee for sustaining the awards for ten consecutive years.
According to him, persistent policy inconsistencies by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) continue to pose serious challenges to local manufacturers, disrupting operations, revenues and long-term planning. He stressed that the manufacturing sector remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy and a key driver of GDP growth and economic transformation.
Hassan referenced recent data from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), which reported that Nigeria recorded a historic $6.1 billion in non-oil exports in 2025, describing the milestone as a clear indication that economic diversification efforts are gaining traction. He credited MAN and its members for their contributions to the growth of the non-oil export sector.
Welcoming the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” policy initiative under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the CICAN Chairman said the association is eager to see its full implementation and pledged CICAN’s continued support for MAN in driving policies that prioritise local manufacturing and industrial growth.
On media development, Hassan described the MAN Media Personality Awards as instrumental in shaping manufacturing journalism in Nigeria. He appealed to MAN to upscale the awards by allowing leading manufacturing companies to sponsor them, with improved monetary rewards. He suggested that the top prize be raised to between ₦500,000 and ₦1 million to encourage broader participation and higher competitiveness among journalists covering the sector.
Looking ahead, Hassan advocated for the repositioning of CICAN as a continental hub for manufacturing sector reportage, particularly in light of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He said CICAN intends to strengthen ties with manufacturing associations across West Africa and the wider African continent, aligning with MAN’s leadership role within the Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA).
He also announced plans by CICAN to introduce a nationwide “Made-in-Nigeria Media Day” to promote locally manufactured products. The initiative, he said, would involve media-led campaigns, exhibitions and public awareness activities in collaboration with key stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), MAN, NACCIMA, NECA and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
Hassan concluded by reaffirming CICAN’s commitment to supporting MAN’s advocacy efforts and promoting responsible, development-focused reportage of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. He congratulated the winners of the 2026 MAN Media Personality Awards and described the 10th anniversary celebration as a testament to the enduring partnership between industry and the media.
CICAN Chairman Taiwo Hassan urges policy stability, higher media award rewards and continental collaboration at MAN’s 10th Media Personality Awards in Lagos, highlighting Nigeria’s $6.1bn non-oil export growth and Made-in-Nigeria advocacy.
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