Business
MAN Forecasts Rough Starting, Better Ending For Manufacturing Sector in 2024
” In broad terms, the year 2024 may start on a tough note for manufacturing but may end with some measured improvements because the envisaged policy reforms, improved commitment to domestic production and general positive outlook seams favourable for the sector. “
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the Director-General of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN), gives this insight in a document-
‘Manufacturing Sector Outlook For 2024.’
He notes that although, the manufacturers expects the following developments and trends to shape the sector this year, yet , things may brighten up in the third quarter of the year.
“The period will be challenging, with a subtle possibility of recovery from the third quarter. The envisaged recovery is highly dependent on the deployment of policy stimulus supported with a synthesis of domestic growth driven, export focused and offensive trade strategies.
This will promote resilience, steady growth and ensure that the sector gains meaningful traction in the later part of the year,” he said.
He said that drawing from likely economic dynamics and in the light of the aforementioned, our projections for the manufacturing sector in 2024 are as follows:
▪︎3.2% Sectoral Growth
In 2024, sectoral real growth is expected to hit about 3.2 percent; contribution to the economy will most likely exceed 10 percent and the Manufacturers’ CEOs Confidence Index is predicted to rise above 55 points thresholds by the end of Q4 2023.
▪︎Average capacity utilization will still hover around the 50 percent threshold as the forex-related challenges and high inflation rate limiting manufacturing performance may linger until mid-year.
▪︎Forex, Inflation and Interest Rate Challenges
The sector may experience a meagre improvement in manufacturing output as forex and interest rates-related challenges are expected to subside from the third quarter.
▪︎Cement Sector To Enhance Manufacturing Outputs
Higher manufacturing output is envisaged from the beginning of the third quarter of the year as the government disburses capital provisions of the budget to abandoned, ongoing and new capital projects with expected special preference for locally made products.
▪︎The ongoing concessions of seaports, airports and roads may also provide opportunities for the cement sub-sector and contribute to infrastructure upgrade needed to enhance manufacturing productivity.
▪︎Reasonable stability in the monetary policy ambience as the apex bank reverts to playing its conventional roles and deliberately improves forex supply to the productive sector for import of inputs not available locally.
▪︎Stability in the forex market
The results of the emerging upward surge in global oil prices, domestic oil and gas production, local refining of petroleum products and projected gains of exchange rate unification will promote stability in the forex market and impact manufacturing positively from the second half of the year.
This will lead to reduction in the pressure on demand for forex and improve the inflow of export proceeds from oil and gas.
▪︎Tax Reforms and Banks Recapitalisation
The ongoing tax reforms and the envisaged bank recapitalization will frontally address the challenges of multiple taxation and poor access to credit that have continued to limit manufacturing sector performance, if successfully implemented.
▪︎Electricity Act 2023
Expect dynamic implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which will increase private investment in renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency and improve electricity supply to the manufacturing sector.
▪︎The improved electricity supply will ameliorate the issue of inadequacy, reduce the disruptions occasioned by frequent outages and in turn improve energy security.
Business
Naira Exchange Rates Friday, 3 July 2026
BLACK MARKET RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1, 397 Sell ₦1,405
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,850 Sell: ₦1,865
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1, 580 Sell ₦1,600
CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,030 Sell ₦1,100
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370
CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200
GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 380 Sell ₦2, 460
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 220 Sell 2,300
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
CBN OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,370.15
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,832.17
EURO (EUR) ₦1,568.28
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,1705.44
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8. 51
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦201. 80
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.38
WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,859. 98
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦364.91
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦84. 32
Business
Issue: Cloning Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)
The Presidency says the bodies allegedly used by Adeyemi—including the so-called Presidential Economic Advisory Council, Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, and Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council—do not exist as government agencies.
The Presidency says a man identified as Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly created and operated fake government agencies, forged appointment letters, and falsely claimed to have been appointed by Femi Gbajabiamila.
According to the statement:
The Office of the Chief of Staff discovered the alleged scheme after complaints from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) that an unauthorized body was operating in a way that conflicted with its functions.
The Chief of Staff petitioned the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force in October 2025 to investigate alleged forged appointment letters.
The Presidency says the bodies allegedly used by Adeyemi—including the so-called Presidential Economic Advisory Council, Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, and Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council—do not exist as government agencies.
Investigators allege Adeyemi operated from an office in the Federal Secretariat Complex, held meetings with diplomats, and sought diplomatic support to obtain U.S. visas for members of the alleged organization.
Police reportedly recovered forged documents and other exhibits during searches of his office and residence.
The investigation allegedly found that Adeyemi operated 34 bank accounts, including several in the names of fictitious organizations, and used forged documents to open a Central Bank of Nigeria account.
The Presidency says no government funds were paid into that account.
Police charged Adeyemi and two others before the Federal High Court on multiple counts, including forgery, impersonation, and obtaining by false pretence. The case is scheduled for hearing on July 27.
The Presidency also denied claims that Gbajabiamila appointed Adeyemi, stating that appointments to federal offices are issued through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, not the Office of the Chief of Staff.
Current status
The Presidency maintains that:
the agencies in question are fictitious,
the appointment letter was forged,
Adeyemi is an impostor,
and the allegations against him should be resolved by the court.
As the case is pending before the court, the allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
Business
Naira Exchange Rates Thursday July 2, 2026
BLACK MARKET RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1, 395 Sell ₦1, 403
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,845 Sell: ₦1,865
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1, 585 Sell ₦1,600
CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,030 Sell ₦1,100
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200
GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 380 Sell ₦2, 460
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 220 Sell 2,300
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
CBN OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,372.41
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,821.73
EURO (EUR) ₦1,565.37
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,695.42
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.45
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦201.98
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.40
WEST AFRICAN UNITACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,870. 31
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦365.45
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦83.80
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