Leading figures in Nigeria’s industrial sector, including the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Francis Meshioye, and business magnate Aliko Dangote, have called on the Federal Government to back its ‘Nigeria First’ policy with enforceable legislation to strengthen local manufacturing and economic growth.
The appeal was made on Thursday in Lagos during the 5th Adeola Odutola Lecture and Presidential Luncheon, part of MAN’s 53rd Annual General Meeting, themed “Prioritising Made-in-Nigeria.”
In his address, MAN President Francis Meshioye stressed that implementing the industrial policy effectively was crucial for revitalising the manufacturing sector.
He said compliance across ministries, departments, and agencies should be tied to measurable performance metrics, monitored by a well-resourced National Bureau of Procurement.
Meshioye also called for the allocation and operationalisation of a ₦1 trillion stabilisation fund to support manufacturers struggling with rising production costs and policy inconsistencies.
“The Nigeria First policy is not merely a call to action; it is a national imperative,” he said. “The future of our manufacturing sector, and indeed our economic sovereignty, depends on our collective resolve to prioritise local value creation, enforce supportive policies, and invest boldly in our industrial base.”
Guest speaker Aliko Dangote, represented by the President of the Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA), Engr. Ahmed Mansur, echoed similar sentiments, urging the government to treat the ‘Nigeria First’ initiative as a long-term national strategy rather than a short-term agenda.
Dangote noted that manufacturing remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth, with greater potential to boost GDP than any other sector.
“For the Nigeria First policy to work, it must be a durable, binding national strategy for industrial development, capable of withstanding political transitions and market pressures,” he said.
He added that the policy should reflect both global best practices and Nigeria’s unique industrial realities, ensuring the nation achieves self-sufficiency, economic resilience, and competitiveness in the global market.
The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and investors to discuss how Nigeria can strengthen its manufacturing base and reduce dependence on imports through consistent policy implementation.