The gathering came on the heels of fresh data revealing that more than 70 percent of Nigeria’s industrial inputs are still sourced from imports, while the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product dropped to 9.62 percent in the first quarter of 2025—down from 9.8 percent in the same period last year.
The Nigeria Manufacturing & Equipment/Nigerian Raw Materials Expo 2025, which opened on Tuesday, was jointly hosted by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council under the theme: “Accelerating Sustainable Manufacturing through Cutting-edge Equipment and Technology Solutions.”
Spanning three days, the expo centered on reducing import dependence and driving innovation through increased local production.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Chuks Ngaha, Director of Corporate Affairs at RMRDC, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, who declared the event open, emphasized that “for Nigeria to achieve industrial development, innovation and technology must be given top priority.”
Nnaji stressed that a key pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is enhancing the capacity of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector to “innovate and produce goods that will drastically cut the nation’s over-reliance on imports.”
Also speaking, RMRDC Director General, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, described the expo as a platform for technical exchange, policy dialogue, investment matchmaking, and strategic industrial networking—essential elements in the push to curb import dependence and build domestic capacity.
He referenced data indicating that Nigeria imported raw materials valued at N4.53 trillion between January and September 2024. Yet, despite this heavy spending, the sector’s contribution to the economy has continued to shrink.
“These figures reveal a deep structural flaw. We export raw materials in their crude state, import them back as refined products, and in doing so, export both jobs and value,” the DG observed.
He urged Nigeria to fully embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution by adopting smart technologies, enhancing efficiency, and integrating sustainability into its industrial policies.
He also drew attention to RMRDC’s Research and Demonstration Plant Complex in Abuja, which hosts more than 50 pilot plants dedicated to processing local raw materials such as cassava and shea into finished industrial products.
Ike-Muonso further pointed to the recent passage of a bill requiring at least 30 percent local value addition for exported raw materials, describing it as a pivotal step toward achieving economic self-reliance.
“This landmark policy not only underscores the urgency of adopting advanced technologies for raw material processing but also provides global investors with the legislative assurance needed to commit to processing technologies and domestic value addition,” the DG remarked.
Also speaking, the President of MAN, Francis Meshioye, stressed the need for embracing emerging technologies in order to remain competitive on the global stage.
“We are prioritizing energy-efficient production, smart factory systems, closed-loop operations, and advanced recycling techniques. These strategies not only minimize waste but also deliver lasting value to stakeholders,” he said.
Meshioye added that this year’s expo reflects the federal government’s “Nigeria First” policy, which is designed to strengthen local content and bolster domestic manufacturing.
Similarly, MAN Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, encouraged participants to take advantage of the event as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving.
“This expo offers us the opportunity to assess the current state of the manufacturing sector and co-create practical solutions to its challenges. This platform serves as a marketplace of ideas, and we are eager to harness innovative solutions that will drive the growth of the manufacturing sector and strengthen the Nigerian economy,” the MAN Director General stated.
