Otunba Francis Meshioye, OFR, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has called on the media to continue amplifying the voice of Nigerian manufacturers, urging robust, investigative, and purposeful reporting that strengthens industrial growth and national development.
Speaking at the 10th edition of the MAN Media Personality of the Year Award and Presidential Media Luncheon held at MAN House, Ikeja, Lagos, Otunba Meshioye marked a decade of collaboration between the media and the manufacturing sector. He described the event as a milestone that has consistently celebrated journalistic excellence while reinforcing advocacy for policies that advance the sector.
“Over the past five decades, the media has been one of our strongest partners,” Meshioye said. “You amplify our advocacy, interrogate our policies, challenge assumptions, and give visibility to the realities of Nigerian manufacturers. When we speak of patronage for Made-in-Nigeria products, your work transforms slogans into national imperatives.”
The MAN President provided a snapshot of the sector’s performance in 2025, highlighting both the challenges and resilience of manufacturers:
Manufacturers’ confidence declined due to high-interest rates, erratic power supply, and structural bottlenecks, with the Manufacturers CEOs’ Confidence Index dropping to 50.7% in Q3 2025.
Energy costs soared to an estimated N676.6 billion in the first half of 2025 due to inadequate public power supply.
Exports strengthened, rising to N978.53 billion in Q3 2025, while sectoral GDP contribution averaged 8.36%, reflecting resilience despite macroeconomic pressures.
Meshioye also noted government responsiveness in 2025, including the suspension of the 4% Free-On-Board (FOB) charge by the Nigeria Customs Service, halted port charge increases by the Nigerian Ports Authority, and discontinued levies by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria—measures that eased the burden on manufacturers.
Looking ahead, MAN outlined key advocacy priorities for 2026:
Increasing capital expenditure to support manufacturing.
Ensuring affordable and reliable energy supply.
Expanding access to long-term, low-cost finance.
Promoting policy consistency and restraint in taxation.
Strengthening patronage for Made-in-Nigeria products.
“Manufacturing thrives when government and industry players collaborate effectively,” Meshioye stressed. “Our message is clear: when manufacturing wins, Nigeria wins.”
The President concluded by congratulating nominees for the MAN Media Personality of the Year Award, praising journalists for their professionalism, depth, and unwavering commitment to industrial reporting. He urged the media to continue telling the story of industry with accuracy and courage, noting that nations are built not just by factories but by the narratives that defend and promote them.
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, MNI, Director General of MAN, added that the decennial celebration also served as the official MAN Media Conference and Award for Excellence in Journalism, reaffirming the association’s commitment to fostering dialogue and advancing industrial advocacy through media engagement.
About the Event:
The MAN Media Personality of the Year Award, now in its 10th edition, recognizes outstanding journalists who contribute to the visibility and advocacy of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. The event brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and media practitioners to strengthen partnerships that promote economic growth and industrialisation.
Otunba Francis Meshioye, MAN President, urges the media to champion industrial growth and policy advocacy at the 10th MAN Media Personality of the Year Award, highlighting the sector’s resilience and priorities for 2026.
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