In the face of severe macroeconomic headwinds and an increasingly difficult business environment, President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Francis Meshioye, has urged manufacturers and businesses to embrace innovative technology solutions that will improve production processes and quality of products manufactured locally.
He noted that by embracing cutting-edge technologies, they can drive innovation, resilience and deliver long-term value for Nigerians. Speaking at a press briefing held at MAN House to herald this year’s edition of the annual Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Expo (NME) and Nigerian Raw Materials Expo (NIRAM), he said the event would focus on sustainable manufacturing and the role of cutting-edge technology to drive this.
Scheduled for August 5 to 7, 2025 in Lagos, the three-day exhibition will showcase the best of Nigeria’s locally fabricated machinery, raw materials and innovative solutions to drive the “Nigeria First” agenda. “Let’s jointly see what is possible in Nigeria and then lean on the strength of collaborating with foreign counterparts to improve locally manufactured goods,” he revealed.
The president said it would be a one-stop shop for equipment manufacturers, raw materials producers, processors, local fabricators and other stakeholders in the manufacturing sector to showcase their new and emerging technologies, machinery, equipment, and innovations.
“Furthermore, our focus is to spark conversations around deployment of energy-efficiency in our production facilities; implementation of smart factory technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), to optimise resource use; waste reduction strategies through closed-loop systems and advanced recycling methods and engender partnerships with green tech innovators to co-develop scalable, sustainable solutions,” he said.
This renewed commitment he said, comes at a time when consumer expectations and regulatory pressures are increasing, urging companies to rethink their environmental impact as part of their sustainability roadmap.
Noting that the country continues to evolve its manufacturing process, he said the current processes are a far departure from the past; all due to continuous learning and patronage. This time, he said, they intend to engender conversations around ‘Nigeria First’ in terms of showing dignitaries, delegates and participants locally made equipment, raw materials within their reach and innovative inventions that can transform production processes and in turn, attract more patronage.
“The entire value chain of the manufacturing sector will be present at this year’s edition of the expo and reflect the Nigeria First Policy of the Federal Government. We want manufacturers to embrace home-grown technology to scale-up locally manufactured goods, support sustainable development and discourage over-dependence on foreign products. We must also remain committed to utilising locally sourced raw materials and leveraging essential support services, such as locally sourced funding and logistics, to drive our manufacturing endeavours and propel us into the much awaited prosperous and sustainable future,” he said.
The exhibition will feature concurrent exhibitions by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), panel sessions, and a dedicated Women in Manufacturing segment to inspire female entrepreneurs. Meshioye stressed the need for indigenous technological development, cautioning against over-reliance on foreign solutions.
On concerns about the inclusivity of small-scale manufacturers and lessons learned from previous editions,Meshioye assured that this edition would address previous issues and facilitate collaborations between equipment manufacturers and end-users to co-create scalable solutions.
