By Merit Ibe, [email protected]
Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, has charged manufacturers to leverage emerging trends, by embracing technological advancements and innovation to drive productivity.
Uzoka-Anite made the call at the opening ceremony of the 2023 edition of the annual Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment (NME) Expo jointly organised by the Nigerian Raw Materials Exposition (NIRAM) of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), where she urged Nigerian manufacturers to leverage emerging trends like Artificial Intelligence, automation, robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance manufacturing processes, improve efficiency and drive productivity.
“By adopting these cutting-edge technologies, we can boost the competitiveness of our local manufacturers and position Nigeria as a global manufacturing hub.”
She restated the commitment of the ministry to extend to the implementation of policies and programmes that facilitate ease of doing business, improving access to finance for manufacturers and enhancing infrastructure and logistics to bolster the growth of the manufacturing sector.
“As part of this commitment, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will strengthen collaboration with MAN to implement sector-specific guidelines. This underscores the pivotal role of the manufacturing sector in our overarching strategy for sustainable growth. We acknowledge that manufacturing is a cornerstone for job creation, value addition and a robust workforce. Our policy initiatives centre on creating an enabling environment, incentivising production activities and promoting the use of made-in-Nigeria products to boost the competitiveness of our manufacturers.
For his part, Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, applauded the event, noting that it could not have been held at a better time than now with the imperative to support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to address the nation’s economic crisis.
“It is a well-known dictum that any country that does not stand its developmental efforts on Science, Technology and Innovation cannot expect dividend of socio-economic rejuvenation, which underscores the indispensable need to deploy a demand-driven research and development solution.”
He said industrialisation is one of the indices of measuring the development of nations and the survival of manufacturing industries is dependent largely on the availability of raw materials.
As the country embarks on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the Nnaji noted that there is need for consistent engagements amongst stakeholders in the raw materials and manufacturing value chain of the economy to avoid overbearing dumping of sub-standard raw materials and products on the shores from various sources across the world.
Nnaji, who said he was impressed with the work RMRDC, has done to facilitate the country’s economic diversification initiative and manufacturing contribution to GDP, added that the Centre provides a platform for technology adoption, adaptation and transfer for agricultural and mineral raw materials process technology in Nigeria.
“This is a testament to my ministry’s unwavering commitment to ensuring competitiveness in raw materials and products development…”
“The centre offers a window for industrial/academic research as it relates to raw materials development and utilization in Nigeria. The Centre also serves as a one-stop process technology outlay that showcases equipment, processes, instrumentation, etc. that a potential investor or an entrepreneur could take up in areas of agricultural and minerals processing.
He disclosed that with the strategic implementation of the Presidential Executive Order No. 5, the Ministry, through the RMRDC, has commenced the process for the establishment and replication of the Centre across the six geo-political zones to allow for even development of resource-based industrialization and encourage local production of raw materials where Nigeria has the wherewithal and competitive advantage over and above other nations of the world.’
He urged industrialists and investors to replicate the process technologies showcased at the Centre at commercial scale for increased manufacturing activities, “more so that their feasibility and viability as well as the capability of Nigerian engineers to design and fabricate process equipment have been demonstrated. Secondary and tertiary raw materials produced locally will reduce dependence on importation and conserve foreign exchange.”
He noted that one of the important prerequisites for the economic well-being and prosperity of any nation is sustainable development of industry.
“It is industry that produces consumer and capital goods, creates new products and processes which generate new employment opportunities.
“It also provides, in the process, unlimited access to science, technology and innovation for the populace.”
He advocated a strong Triple Helix initiative to deepen the collaboration and linkage between the MAN and the agencies under the Ministry.
“The need for partnership, such as MAN and RMRDC, further underscores the challenges of competition in the industrial place arising from the ongoing globalization of world economies.
In his address, MAN president, Francise Meshioye, is seeking a new industrial policy, reiterating that at this point in the country’s economic development there was need to establish synergy between trade and industrial policies.
President of the association, Francis Meshioye made the remark at the opening ceremony of the 2023 edition of the Annual Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment (NME) Expo jointly organized by the Nigerian Raw Materials Exposition (NIRAM) of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
He pointed out that the vision to industrialized Nigeria would remain an illusion until the bidding constraints that affects ease of doing business is resolved.
He said it would be a great legacy if this is achieved during the tenure of the Minister of industry, trade and investment because industry and trade are under the ministry’s portfolio.
“Honourable Ministers, going forward, Nigeria at this point in our economic development needs to establish synergy between our trade and industrial policies. It will be a great legacy if this is achieved during your tenure because industry and trade are under your portfolio. In addition, it will also be great if your tenure births a new Industrial Policy for the country.”
The MAN boss noted that through the annual event, which provides a common ground for large manufacturing organizations and SMEs to explore new production processes that will increase their production output, MAN has taken the challenge of leading the manufacturing sector to play a vital role in the nation’s vision of becoming one of the leading industrialized economies in Africa.
The NIRAM Expo themed: “Future of Manufacturing: Building a Sustainable Roadmap to the Industrialization of Nigeria, ” he said it is aimed at creating a platform where stakeholders in the raw materials supply chain will come together to synergize, display and trade in available resources and raw materials with the users of these products.
“With this in mind, we intend to close the information gaps and encourage local sourcing of available raw materials by manufacturing industries which is in line with Government backward integration programme.
“The theme is informed by the unprecedented rate in which our world is changing in terms of innovative technologies, shifting customer expectations, as well as increasing social awareness of gender equity and restoration of previously marginalized communities.
“These major shifts have a considerable impact on the future of the manufacturing sector. If manufacturers can efficiently balance a combination of efficient economies of production and supply chains; strong and reputable products; loyal customers; an established logistics network; as well as reliable on-line business elements, they will be well-positioned in the future to compete favourably in the industrial marketplace.
“By successfully assimilating advanced technologies into their systems, existing and prospective industrialists can expect to realize even greater revenue and profits from their investments. Improved political stability; growing investment prospects; business-friendly trade agreements; Industry 4.0; enforcement of policies empowering start-up and female manufacturers; in addition to governmental funding solutions, to name a few, are pivotal factors demonstrating a positive and thriving manufacturing future.
“Despite concerns that the continent lacks the requirements for global advancements to capitalise on innovative technological initiatives, African countries are uninhibited by infrastructure legacy challenges, thereby providing a higher degree of flexibility than their developed counterparts. Accordingly, Industry 4.0 remains a considerable opportunity for African manufacturers, ultimately giving the continent a cutting edge over the global economy.
“Beyond manufacturing, all industrial and commercial businesses in the country also suffer from energy inadequacy and inefficiency. It is for this reason that investors in the economy will continue to push for sustained effort to bring about significant improvement in the quantum, quality and consistent supply of electricity.”