By
Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
The
Chairman of Yennco World Trade Fair Ltd. and organiser of the Côte d’Ivoire
International Trade Fair, Dr. Onyeka Nwafor, has congratulated the newly
elected President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr.
Ifeanyi Eric Okoye, describing his emergence as a significant development for
Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
Nwafor conveyed the congratulatory message
during the 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of
Nigeria, the 6th Adeola Odutola Lecture and the Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition
(MiNE 2026), held from October 5 to 7, 2026, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
The three-day event, which attracted
manufacturers, policymakers, investors, development partners, members of the
diplomatic community and other key stakeholders in the Nigerian economy, was
held under the theme: “Leveraging National Industrial Policy to Position
Nigeria as Africa’s Industrial Hub.”
Speaking to journalists at the event, Nwafor
expressed confidence in Okoye’s ability to provide purposeful leadership for
MAN and contribute to the advancement of Nigeria’s industrial and manufacturing
landscape.
He particularly commended Okoye, who is the
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Juhel Nigeria Limited,
popularly known as Juhel Pharmaceuticals, for his contributions to the
pharmaceutical and manufacturing industry.
Nwafor said Okoye’s experience as an
industrialist and manufacturer placed him in a strong position to lead the
association at a time when the Nigerian manufacturing sector requires strategic
policies, stronger institutional support and improved collaboration between the
government and private sector.
According to him, the manufacturing sector
remains critical to Nigeria’s economic development because of its potential to
create jobs, stimulate investment, promote local production, reduce dependence
on imports and strengthen the country’s position in the African market.
He urged the new MAN leadership to sustain
constructive engagement with the Federal Government and other relevant
stakeholders in addressing some of the challenges confronting manufacturers,
including infrastructure deficits, energy costs, access to finance, multiple
taxation, regulatory bottlenecks and the need for a more predictable business
environment.
The Yennco chairman also expressed optimism that
the new leadership of MAN would strengthen the association’s advocacy for
policies capable of making Nigerian industries more competitive locally and
internationally.
Meanwhile, Dr Onyeka equally thanked the out
going president, Otunba Francis Meshioye (OFR) for his leadership skills during
his tenure and wished him successful endeavours in his future achievements.
The event also featured the Made-in-Nigeria
Exhibition (MiNE 2026), which showcased locally manufactured products,
technologies and innovations, providing opportunities for manufacturers to
connect with investors, consumers, policymakers and potential business partners.
The 6th Adeola Odutola Lecture, which served as
the public session of the AGM, further provided a platform for high-level
discussions on the policies and strategies required to strengthen Nigeria’s
industrial base.
Nwafor described the gathering as an important opportunity
for manufacturers and other stakeholders to collectively examine practical ways
of unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s industrial sector.
He called for stronger partnerships among
manufacturers, government institutions, investors and development
organisations, noting that sustainable industrial growth could only be achieved
through coordinated efforts and policies that support domestic production.
Nwafor said he looked forward to greater
collaboration between MAN and other organisations working to promote trade,
investment and industrial development in Nigeria and across the African
continent.
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