The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has blamed the current business environment for the continued exit of multinational companies including the latest departure of Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing.

Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing, once regarded as the largest syringe manufacturing venture in Africa, has officially ceased operations in Awa in the Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

Inaugurated in 2017 by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the firm cited “unforeseen circumstances affecting our business operations” as the major reason for its decision to leave Nigeria.

Owned by a Turkish national, Onur Kumral, Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Limited was one of the several industries attracted to Akwa Ibom State by the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration.

A memo announcing the exit was addressed to workers of the company. The company had ceased production some months ago, but officially announced that its operations came to an end on December 31, 2022.

Titled “Temporary Redundancy – Service Not Needed Till Further Notice,’’ the memo was signed by the company’s Managing Director, Akin Oyediran.

It said it had “to implement temporary measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the company.”

The memo read in part, “We trust this message finds you in good health. With a heavy heart, we write to you today to communicate a challenging decision that Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company Limited has had to make due to unforeseen circumstances affecting our business operations.

“After careful consideration and a thorough evaluation of our current business situation, we regret to inform you that we must implement temporary measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the company.

“Unfortunately, this includes placing all positions including yours on temporary redundancy effective January 1, 2024. We want to emphasise that this decision is not a reflection of your individual performance or dedication to the company. The challenging business environment we find ourselves in has compelled us to take these difficult steps. Please return all company belongings in your custody. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during these challenging times.”

The company’s decision to close its factory came over two years after it announced plans were underway to export its products to Germany.

It also came less than a year after the company’s Managing Director, Oyediran said that the company had secured a credit facility of $1m.

The Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said companies exiting Nigeria had been stretched to “breaking point.”

He said, “The reason why companies are closing is evident. It is just a matter of resilience. When it gets to the breaking point, you will have to give up because of the employment environment.”

JSM joins a growing list of international firms to exit Nigeria in recent memory. In December, American manufacturing giant, Procter & Gamble announced that it was leaving Nigeria after decades of manufacturing presence in the country.

The company’s departure was preceded by the exit of the likes of GlaxoSmithKline, Unilever Nigeria (Home and Skin Care Category) and Sanofi-Aventis.