WorldStage— The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called for urgent tax harmonisation, improved infrastructure, reliable energy supply, and a predictable regulatory environment to strengthen the country’s manufacturing sector.
The association made the call on Thursday at the 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of its Ogun Branch in Abeokuta.
The meeting had the theme: “Building a Resilient Manufacturing Sector: Surmounting the Challenges of Fiscal and Regulatory Policies and Tariffs”.
Speaking at the event, the President of MAN, Mr Francis Meshioye, said manufacturers had borne the brunt of economic reforms introduced over the past three years.
Meshioye noted that the reforms had resulted in rising production costs, declining investments, and increasing operational pressure on businesses nationwide.
”Resilience in manufacturing means the capacity to absorb economic shocks, adapt to policy changes, remain competitive, and continue producing, investing, and creating jobs despite prevailing challenges,” he said.
He identified predictable fiscal policies, smart regulation, affordable energy, improved infrastructure, access to single-digit interest loans, and protection against unfair imports as critical to repositioning the sector.
Meshioye urged all tiers of government to ensure that taxes, levies, and tariffs remained predictable, while regulatory agencies should support industrial growth rather than focus primarily on revenue generation.
He disclosed that the association had secured concessions on safety audit fees and facilitated engagements on water abstraction charges and environmental compliance.
The president, however, noted that multiple taxation and bad industrial roads still required urgent intervention.
Meshioye called for sustained public-private dialogue, harmonisation of regulatory requirements, and the rehabilitation of industrial roads in Agbara, Ota, and Sagamu.
He also advocated improved access to finance, energy, and foreign exchange.
He urged the Federal Government to clarify the implementation of the 2025 tax laws, oppose retroactive taxation, and direct the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to settle outstanding foreign exchange forward obligations owed to manufacturers.
According to him, addressing these challenges through coordinated policy reforms will improve industrial productivity, attract investments, create jobs, and strengthen the sector.
Earlier, the outgoing Chairman of MAN, Ogun Branch, Mr George Onafowokan, described the operating environment as increasingly difficult due to exchange rate volatility, inflation, rising energy costs, high interest rates, and multiple taxation.
”Unreliable electricity supply and rising tariffs have compelled manufacturers to depend heavily on self-generated power.
”The increase in electricity tariffs has significantly raised production costs and reduced the competitiveness of locally manufactured products,” Onafowokan said.
He explained that persistent difficulties in accessing foreign exchange to import raw materials, machinery, and industrial equipment had adversely affected productivity and expansion plans.
Onafowokan, however, commended the Ogun Government for its investments in infrastructure, security, and business reforms, noting that the initiatives had sustained the state’s status as a preferred industrial hub.
He appealed to Gov. Dapo Abiodun to institutionalise consultations with MAN before introducing policies affecting businesses and urged the state to revive its quarterly engagement platform with the organised private sector.
He expressed concern over charges imposed by environmental agencies, including water abstraction fees, recycling licence fees, and pollution compliance requirements, demanding greater clarity on their legal basis.
”Threats of closure over alleged non-compliance disrupt production, endanger jobs, and weaken investor confidence. Regulation should promote environmental sustainability without discouraging industrial investment,” he said.
Responding, Gov. Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Adebola Sofela, said the state’s industrial growth was driven by deliberate policies and collaboration with the private sector.
Sofela assured manufacturers that the state government was engaging relevant stakeholders to harmonise sub-national charges and eliminate multiple taxation.
”There cannot be multiple taxes. We understand these concerns, and a committee will be established to address sub-national taxes and levies before the end of this administration,” Sofela said.
He added that the government would review concerns regarding environmental fees and enforcement procedures, while encouraging industries to maintain environmental standards and responsible waste management.
Delivering the keynote address, the Director of Technical Services, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr Basheer Abdulkadir, said the federal government recognised manufacturing as critical to economic transformation.
Abdulkadir outlined key government reforms aimed at improving the business climate to include the Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC), the National List under the Common External Tariff, the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, and the National Single Window Project.
He said the sector remained resilient, contributing about eight per cent to real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and recording a 3.29 per cent growth rate in the first quarter of 2026.
Abdulkadir assured manufacturers that the government would continue to balance trade liberalisation with protection for strategic industries through the Import Adjustment Tax, the AfCFTA Exclusion List, and the Import Prohibition List.
He urged manufacturers to prepare for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by enhancing competitiveness, understanding trade rules, and investing in technology and local value chains.
According to him, increased patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products will boost domestic industries, create jobs, conserve foreign exchange, and promote sustainable economic growth.
