WorldStage Newsonline– Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji has stated that government would ensure that every policy, investment and innovation create real opportunities for young ones and give them hope for the future
The minister and industry stakeholders at the ninth Nigeria Raw Materials Expo and eighth Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Expo in Lagos stressed the need for innovations and partnerships in advancing a sustainable manufacturing sector and creating real opportunities for Nigerians.
The event’s theme was: “Accelerating Sustainable Manufacturing through Cutting-edge Equipment and Technology Solutions.”
It was organised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
Nnaji noted that the event supported many of President Bola Tinubu’s top priorities, like economic growth, innovation, infrastructure, education and good governance.
He said, “Countries that invest in advanced technologies are growing quickly and creating good jobs and we must do the same.
“That is why our ministry is supporting research, promoting local technology and encouraging industries to add value to Nigerian raw materials before exports.
“We know that there are challenges, such as high costs, limited access to finance, and infrastructure gaps.
“Solving these problems requires teamwork across government, business and the wider community,” he said.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said it had become pertinent to embrace manufacturing as a way of surmounting economic challenges.
Sanwo-Olu was represented at the event by Mrs Folashade Ambrose, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment.
He said harnessing technology would ensure that Nigeria played an important role in the global manufacturing arena.
He said the future of the country rested on the brilliance of ideas forged through collaborations of manufacturers, investors, policy makers and technology experts.
The governor said they would create solutions that were not only economically viable but were environmentally responsible.
“Lagos state as the economic, financial and commercial nerve centre of Nigeria and Africa’s emerging tech hub is determined to champion the cause of sustainable industrial growth powered by innovation, technology and local content development,” he said.
President, MAN, Mr Francis Meshioye, said manufacturers were accelerating innovation, resilience, and long-term value for stakeholders by embracing cutting-edge technology solutions
Meshioye noted that the expo would spark conversations around deployment of energy-efficiency in production processes through partnerships with green tech innovators to co-develop scalable and sustainable solutions.
He added that it aligned with the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First Policy” and spoke loudly to the promotion of local content, patronage of locally produced goods and support for domestic industries.
“The renewed commitment comes at a time when consumer expectations and regulatory pressures is increasing, urging companies to rethink their production strategies as part of their sustainability roadmap.
“Your active participation at this expo exemplifies your resolve to showcase innovative products and solutions developed by local manufacturers and their foreign counterparts; connect with potential customers, partners, and investors,” he said.
The Director General, RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, noted that raw material imports surged by 119 per cent to N4.53 trillion in the first nine months of 2024 alone, exposing a structural weakness.
Ike-Muonso, noted that Nigeria possessed over 120 commercially viable solid minerals, vast agricultural resources, and a demographic dividend in its young population.
This, he stated, meant that what the country lacked was not potential, but strategic coordination, bold implementation, and technology-backed commitment.
“As the world transitions into smart, circular, and efficient production systems, we must not lag.
“It is clear that to reposition Nigeria as an industrial powerhouse, we must reduce foreign raw material imports by at least 60 per cent in the next five years and significantly increase local resource utilisation.
“Our duty is clear: integrate advanced technologies, foster resource efficiency, promote inclusive local content development, and institutionalise sustainability as a national industrial ethos,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer, Open Access Data Centres, Dr Ayotunde Coker, said key considerations must be made for more sustainable and integrated supply chains.
He stressed that the circular economy model which supports reuse, recycle and repurpose must be adopted in manufacturing against the extraction of raw materials, usage and disposal.
