Otunba Francis Meshioye, OFR, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has called on the media to continue playing a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s industrial landscape, urging journalists to produce investigative, purposeful, and insightful reporting that drives industrial growth, economic development, and national prosperity.
Speaking at the 10th edition of the MAN Media Personality of the Year Award and Presidential Media Luncheon, held at MAN House, Ikeja, Lagos, Meshioye celebrated a decade-long partnership between MAN and the press. The event, he noted, has become an influential platform for dialogue, advocacy, and recognition of journalistic excellence that promotes manufacturing and industrial policies in Nigeria.
“Over the past fifty years, the media has remained one of our strongest allies,” Meshioye stated. “You amplify our advocacy, interrogate our policies, challenge assumptions, and highlight the realities of Nigerian manufacturers. Through your work, campaigns like patronage for Made-in-Nigeria products have become a national imperative. Your reporting ensures that stifling policies are examined and government actions are influenced for the benefit of the sector.”
Reflecting on 2025: Challenges and Resilience
Meshioye provided a candid assessment of the manufacturing sector in 2025, noting that while the industry displayed resilience, it continued to face significant macroeconomic and structural challenges.
The Manufacturers CEOs’ Confidence Index, which gauges business sentiment and operational outlook, dropped from 56.0% in Q4 2024 to 50.7% in Q3 2025, reflecting cautious optimism amid high borrowing costs and policy inconsistencies.
Elevated interest rates at 27.5% significantly constrained access to credit, affecting expansion and operational activities.
Erratic public power supply forced manufacturers to rely on alternative energy sources, resulting in energy expenditure of approximately N676.6 billion in the first half of the year.
Persistent double-digit inflation, although moderated from 27.61% in January to 15.15% in December, continued to erode consumer purchasing power, slowing demand for manufactured goods.
Despite these challenges, the sector showed encouraging signs of growth:
Capacity utilisation increased to 61.3%, up from 57.6% in the latter half of 2024.
Exports strengthened, reaching N978.53 billion in Q3 2025, up from N803.8 billion in Q2 2025, highlighting Nigeria’s growing footprint in international trade.
The manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP averaged 8.36%, compared to 8.24% in 2024.
Sectoral output growth remained positive across all quarters, signaling underlying resilience despite headwinds.
Government Collaboration and Policy Wins
The MAN President commended the Nigerian government for its responsiveness to industry concerns in 2025, which mitigated additional pressures on manufacturers:
Suspension of the 4% Free-On-Board (FOB) charge by the Nigeria Customs Service.
Reversal of the 15% increase in port charges by the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Discontinuation of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria levy.
“Such interventions demonstrate the impact of sustained advocacy and media amplification,” Meshioye emphasized. “When government listens to both industry and the press, the sector thrives.”
He also urged government agencies to act as enablers of ease of doing business, not obstacles, emphasizing that manufacturing is central to job creation, export growth, fiscal sustainability, and economic transformation.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Priorities
As Nigeria steps into 2026, MAN projects the manufacturing sector to grow by 3.1%, contributing over 10% to GDP if the right policies are implemented. The association’s advocacy agenda includes:
Capital expenditure to support industrial growth.
Access to affordable, reliable energy.
Long-term, low-cost financing for manufacturers.
Policy consistency and restraint in excessive taxation.
Promotion of Made-in-Nigeria products to strengthen local industries.
“Manufacturing thrives on collaboration between government and industry,” Meshioye stressed. “Our message is simple: when manufacturing wins, Nigeria wins.
Industrialisation remains the key path to sustainable national growth.”
Celebrating Media Excellence
While the day celebrated industrial progress, Meshioye also recognized the media’s central role in championing advocacy and policy dialogue. He congratulated nominees for the MAN Media Personality of the Year Award, praising their professionalism, depth, and investigative rigor in reporting on industrial and economic issues.
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, MNI, Director General of MAN, noted that the 10th edition also marks the rebranding of the event as the MAN Media Conference and Award for Excellence in Journalism, reflecting a renewed commitment to building strong bridges between manufacturers and the media.
“Your reporting ensures that the stories of industry, jobs, and innovation are told accurately and courageously,” Ajayi-Kadir said. “We urge the press to continue highlighting the realities, opportunities, and challenges in manufacturing as we collectively work toward an industrialized Nigeria.”
The event concluded with applause for media partners who have remained steadfast allies of the manufacturing sector, acknowledging their critical contribution to industrial growth and advocacy in Nigeria.
MAN President Otunba Francis Meshioye urges media to champion industrial growth at the 10th MAN Media Personality Awards, highlighting 2025 resilience, policy wins, and priorities for Nigeria’s manufacturing sector in 2026.
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