The federal government has vowed to strengthen collaboration with manufacturers towards building a self-reliant and prosperous nation with sustained competitiveness in raw materials and products.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, who disclosed this at the ongoing seventh edition of the Nigerian Manufacturing Equipment Expo and the ninth edition of the Nigerian Raw Materials Expo in Lagos, said industrialisation is one of the indices of measuring the development of nations and the survival of manufacturing industries is dependent largely on the availability of raw materials.
“It is acknowledged that one of the important prerequisites for the economic well-being and prosperity of any nation is sustainable development of industry. It is an industry that produces consumer and capital goods, creates new products and processes which generate new employment opportunities. It also provides, in the process, unlimited access to science, technology and innovation for the populace,” he said.
On her part, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, who was represented by a deputy director of the ministry, Mrs Olumuyiwa Ajayi-Ade, said Nigeria must prioritise the development of its raw materials sector to support the manufacturing industry.
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She noted that by focusing on value addition and local sourcing, the country can reduce its reliance on imported raw materials and improve the overall competitiveness of her products.
The President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Francis Meshioye said the body has taken the challenge of leading the manufacturing sector to play a vital role in the nation’s vision of becoming one of the leading industrialized economies in Africa.
