Doris Uzoka-Anite, minister of industry, trade and investment, began on Monday a tour of manufacturing companies to improve ties between the sector and the government.
The tour is slated to span four days in Lagos, Ogun, and Kano, according to a statement.
It said the minister would visit several manufacturing companies and plants, including Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company, Niger Biscuits Co. Ltd, and Beloxxi Industries Ltd, among others and pay courtesy visits to the governors of the states.
“I am excited to embark on this trip, displaying the best of Nigerian manufacturing. Our goal is to educate the public about the quality and devotion behind our locally manufactured goods. We are committed to assisting these businesses by providing them with the tools and environment they need to thrive and compete on a global scale. This tour demonstrates our faith in Nigerian industry and its workers, ” Uzoka-Anite said.
BusinessDay had earlier reported that Nigerian manufacturers are facing an uncertain future owing to the persistent foreign exchange volatility and higher production costs that have been crippling business activities in recent years.
The minister said the purpose of the tour is also to highlight the commitment of the employees and manufacturing workers that form the core of these businesses, creating superior made-in-Nigeria products that can confidently compete with foreign goods on the international market.
“This is a significant step towards recognising the hard work and achievements of our manufacturing sector. It’s also a call to action for further innovation, quality improvement, and competitiveness in the global market,” she said.
This is in line with what the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria had said in its ‘Manufacturing Sector Outlook for 2024’ that the federal government should also mandatorily upscale patronage of made-in-Nigeria products to revive the sector.
“Government should mandatorily upscale patronage of made-in-Nigeria products by deliberately reducing the excessive reliance of the country on imported products,” it said.
The manufacturers association added that the government should lead by example and give priority to the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products in all its purchases and for all government contracts and projects. “The three tiers of government should enforce the implementation of the Executive Order 003 in same for their ministries, departments and agencies.”
