The Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Mr. Geoffrey Nnaji has called on manufacturers to embrace new technology, innovation and partnership to boost productivity.
Mr. Nnaji stated that by embracing technology, manufacturers can potentially reduce costs, increase efficiency and develop products that better meet evolving market demands.
The Minister stated this at the Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment/ Nigerian Raw Materials (NME/NIRAM) Expo 2025 with the theme “Accelerating Sustainable manufacturing through cutting edge equipment and technology solutions.”
The Minister believes that innovation and technology are the keys to progress and prosperity for Nigeria, and that the exhibition is a call to action to use new ideas, smart technology and strong partnerships which will boost manufacturing and create real opportunities for Nigerians.
“We must ensure every policy, investment,
and innovation creates real opportunities to work together and turn plans into action.”
“The world is moving fast, countries that invest in advanced technologies are growing quickly and creating jobs. We must do the same, that is why our ministry is supporting research promoting local technology and encouraging industries
to add value to the country’s raw materials before exports.”
The Minister acknowledged the challenges of the manufacturing sector and businesses, calling for teamwork across government, business and the wider community.
“We know there are challenges such as high cost, limited access to finance, infrastructure gaps, solving these problems require teamwork
across government business and the wider community.”
“Let us learn from global success stories
and build strong partnerships right here in Nigeria.”
“We must ensure every policy, investment and innovation creates real opportunities for young Nigerians and give them hope for the future.”
He noted that the expo supports President Bola Tinubu’s top priorities, such as economic growth and investment.
“The world is moving fast, countries that invest in advanced technologies are growing quickly and creating good jobs.”
“We must do the same which is why our ministry is supporting research, promoting local technology and encouraging industries to add value to Nigerian raw materials before exporting the products.”
On his part, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Mr. Francis Meshioye, stated that the exhibition was about exploring opportunities for collaboration, innovation and sustainable practices that can propel the manufacturing industry into a future of resilience and prosperity.
He said the NME-NIRAM EXPO presents a unique platform “to learn, challenge the status quo and to pave the way for advancements that would shape the manufacturing landscape in Nigeria and beyond”.
The MAN boss, urged industry operators to harness the innovations and strategies presented to get equipped to better respond to local demands while also positioning strategically in the global marketplace.
Also, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Kaosarat Bada Ambrose, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that, the occasion marked a point of growth in Nigeria as the country is building on the opportunities and technological adoption in the manufacturing sector.
“It is pertinent that we harness innovative
strategies, cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices in order to maintain our growth.”
She noted that the exhibition provides a veritable platform for Nigeria as a country with great potential, to come together and chart a new path to manufacturing excellence.
The Commissioner maintained that the theme speaks to the future of Nigeria especially in the face of current economic realities which have brought to the fore the critical need to fully embrace manufacturing as a way of surmounting economic challenges.
“By investing in technology, we will ensure that Nigeria can also play an important role in the global manufacturing arena as the manufacturing industry remains a critical engine for economic diversification for job creation and inclusive growth.”
Director General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council ((RMDC),
Prof Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso, noted that the program aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, which prioritizes industrialization, job creation and inclusive economic growth.
He said the theme was more than a reflection of global trends, but a clarion call for Nigeria to decisively reposition itself within the dynamics of the fourth industrial revolution, noting that over 70% of manufacturing inputs used in the economy were imported.
He pointed out that what the nation lack was not potential, but strategic coordination, bold implementation and technology-backed commitment.
“At the RMRDC, this year’s NME/NIRAM expo theme finds its truest embodiment in our recently commissioned Research and Demonstration Plant Complex, which is the nerve centre of national industrial reawakening”.
To further strengthen the emerging progress in raw material processing, he said the Federal Government granted RMRDC the authority to implement significant tax‑incentive guidelines designed to reward manufacturers and innovators using locally sourced inputs in their production processes.
“Very soon, manufacturers who research, develop and patronize local raw materials will pay significantly lower taxes than those who do not.
“This is now an instrumental tool for attracting private-sector investment and stimulating technology-driven manufacturing.”
“This is not policy tinkering; it is fiscal affirmation that the smartest supply chain is one made, right here, from the ground up.”
He reiterated that to reposition Nigeria as an industrial powerhouse, “we must reduce foreign raw material imports by at least 60% in the next five years and significantly increase local resource utilization; incentivize value addition through technology adoption and tax support; support the emergence of industrial hubs and clusters around strategic raw material zones; deepen research–industry collaboration for tailored innovation; facilitate technology transfer, infrastructure finance and SME integration across the manufacturing spectrum.”
The Director General, MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir on his part, noted that the exhibition served as a platform to appreciate the place of cutting-edge technology and innovation in the productive sector of our economy.
“It will also showcase the remarkable journey we have traveled in the path of localization of raw material sources.”
He said as manufacturers, “we must embrace modern technologies,
sustainability practices and adaptive strategies to not only compete locally, but also at the global stage,” adding that it would contribute to the growth and diversification of our economy.
“Let us inspire one another and collaborate on ways to overcome, together, we should forge a path that will not only transform our industry, but also empower our entrepreneurs to localize technology and raw material sourcing, ultimately to uplift our nation.”
Reporting by Funmi Adeoye