By Adeniyi Sakiru & Bankole Rahmon
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun State Branch, has drawn national attention to the forthcoming 2025 edition of the Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Expo (NME), which will be co-hosted with the Nigerian Raw Materials Exposition (NIRAM) by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
The announcement was made during MAN Ogun’s 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the Conference Hotel & Suites, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Scheduled to take place from August 5 to 7, 2025, at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the NME/NIRAM Expo will be hosted under the theme: “Accelerating Sustainable Manufacturing through Cutting-edge Technology Solutions.” The event is expected to convene stakeholders from government, industry, finance, academia, and international development sectors to foster technology-driven, value-added manufacturing in Nigeria.
At the AGM, MAN Ogun reiterated its commitment to deepening backward integration, increasing local value addition, and building stronger linkages between research institutions, manufacturers, and markets, all essential to driving Nigeria’s industrialization.
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Representing RMRDC at the event was the Ogun State Coordinator, Mr. Rabiu B.O. presence highlighted RMRDC’s critical role in promoting innovation, indigenous technology adoption, and industrial development through local sourcing.
This year’s AGM, themed “Financing Manufacturing Concerns: Exploring Alternatives,” focused on the sector’s ongoing challenges, including inflation, exchange rate instability, and high interest rates, while exploring creative solutions for sustainable financing.
Delivering the keynote address, Engr. George Onafowokan emphasized the need for innovative and accessible funding mechanisms. He lauded initiatives such as the Bank of Industry’s 9% concessionary loan scheme and LECON Financial Services’ equipment leasing model. He also urged manufacturers to explore new financing sources, including diaspora investment, equity financing, and cooperative-led structures.
In his goodwill message, Hon. Sofela applauded MAN Ogun’s role in driving industrial growth across the state. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the sector through infrastructure development, tax harmonization, and the creation of industrial clusters. He also encouraged manufacturers to tap into government-backed opportunities in agro-processing, renewable energy, and digital transformation.
The technical session, facilitated by Aguston Consulting, addressed pressing macroeconomic realities affecting manufacturers. The session explored credit access challenges, venture capital opportunities, and the importance of financial transparency in attracting long-term investments.
RMRDC State coordinator, Mr. Rabiu also used the platform to reinforce the Council’s policy target of achieving a minimum of 30% value addition to raw materials prior to export. He further showcased other Councils current initiatives, including:
- Industrial outreach for promoting indigenous technology adoption
- Raw material mapping and value chain development studies
- Support for commercialization of research outputs
- Technical advisory services for manufacturers
Through its interventions, RMRDC continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s industrial transformation agenda by linking research with practical, policy-driven industrial development.
The AGM concluded with an award ceremony honouring individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to Ogun State’s manufacturing sector. In her closing remarks, Mrs. Motunrayo Elegberun, Secretary of MAN Ogun Branch, thanked all participants and partners particularly RMRDC, BOI, LECON, and the Ogun State Government for their sustained support.
She reaffirmed MAN’s role as a bridge between the manufacturing sector and policy-makers and called for stronger collaboration to reposition Nigeria’s manufacturing for inclusive and sustainable growth.
