Business
MAN Tasks FG To Strictly Enforce Local Content Laws in Manufacturing Sector
By Ocheneyi Alli
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Government to ensure strict enforcement of local content laws in the manufacturing sector of the economy.
Otunba Francis Meshioye, the President of MAN, made the call during the 3rd Adeola Odutola Lecture / 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of MAN, with the theme “Setting the Agenda for Competitive Manufacturing under the AfCFTA: What Nigeria Needs to Do.”
Meshioye, observed that Nigeria has a low local content adoption and patronage of made in Nigeria products, and therefore, urged the government to ensure effective enforcement of local content and patronage regulations.
He said this can be achieved by strict enforcement of local content laws, giving incentives for local sourcing of raw materials, and innovation in the manufacturing sector.
He said that the government should also compel the public sector at all levels to , as a matter of national importance, step up their compliance with existing government directive on patronage of made-in-Nigeria products, including Executive Orders 003 and 005.
In addition he said the manufacturing sector is one of the sectors of the economy with wide sectoral interlinkages.
“However, the low level of development of auxiliary sectors is disentangling the manufacturing sector from the rest of the sectors.
This is more so in agriculture, iron and steel and mining sectors.
“This has resulted in a limited supply of raw materials and other input for the manufacturing sector,” he said .
Therefore, it is essential to encourage backward integration and sectoral linkages to promote a more sustainable manufacturing sector in Nigeria.” he advised.
At the event, the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, extended the Federal Government’s assurances of collaboration to the local manufacturers towards enhancing their competitiveness .
She said the current administration envisions industrial revitalisation and is committed to covering real aspects of industrialization from consumer credit, fiscal and monetary policy alignment and continuous engagement in delivering the presidential initiatives.
Represented by Dr. Rabiu Olowo, Director-General, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, the Minister said that to harness full benefits of the AfCFTA, ” we must deploy strategic interventions in the manufacturing sector to enhance competitive edge, seeing the manufacturing sector is the backbone of any economy.
Aganga urged the Federal Government to declare the Industrial sector a national priority sector and back it with plans, policies and money.
“To maximise the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA, there are four imperatives which are combined responsibility of government and manufacturing sector; robust public private partnership particularly in the area of research and development to enhance the strength of manufacturing, supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) with capacity and potential for exports and investment in infrastructure and technology.
“We also must enhance quality standards and performance and adhere to international quality standards.”
Likewise, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, a former minister of Industry , added that the continued flooding of the domestic market with cheaper and substandard products from China and elsewhere would derail the country’s plans to dominate AfCFTA as the largest market in the continent.
Aganga urged the Federal Government to declare the Industrial sector a national priority sector and back it with plans, policies and money.
The Former Minister pointed out that embracing competitive manufacturing under the AfCFTA is crucial for Nigeria’s economic growth and integration into the global market place.
“Nigeria may not be able to compete with China now, but by investing in infrastructure, innovation and skilled labour, while addressing trade barriers, the business environment and promoting market access, Nigeria can certainly position itself as the manufacturing hub in Africa.
“Let us work together and seize this historic opportunity and create a prosperous and vibrant manufacturing sector that will benefit Nigerians and contribute to the economic development of the African continent as whole,” he said.
Business
Entrepreneurship: “How I Made N10m Monthly From Akara Burger” – Gov Eno
The business attracted strong patronage from workers, especially those heading to ExxonMobil in the morning.
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has revealed that a food business he started with akara and bread was generating at least N10 million monthly before he ventured into politics.
Eno said his experience in the business demonstrated how a modest venture could be developed into a substantial enterprise through innovation and patronage.
The governor’s disclosure during the state’s monthly covenant prayer service, was triggered by comments from First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who had encouraged Nigerians to consider petty businesses, including akara, roasted corn and kuli kuli, as avenues for improving livelihoods.
Gov Eno , reflecting on his entrepreneurial experience before he entered public office, said that he initially sold akara and bread, which he branded “Akara Burger”, before expanding the venture into a coffee shop.
According to him, the business attracted strong patronage from workers, especially those heading to ExxonMobil in the morning.
He said customers would buy the akara and bread combination alongside coffee before proceeding to work, helping the business grow into a major source of income.
“At a point, that business was making not less than N10 million every month,” Eno said.
Business
Forest Sector Employs 42m People Globally – FAO
According to the report, the 42 million jobs are distributed across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, highlighting the forest sector’s significant contribution to global employment and livelihoods.
• A farmer carrying harvested banana / FAO
The global forest sector provides employment for approximately 42 million people, spanning activities within forests as well as industries, services and supply chains dependent on forest resources, a new international study has revealed.
The study was jointly conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Thünen Institute of Forestry of Germany.
According to the report, the 42 million jobs are distributed across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, highlighting the forest sector’s significant contribution to global employment and livelihoods.
FAO said the new data provides an important basis for understanding the human dimension of forests, noting that previous estimates were hampered by fragmented data and incomplete country coverage.
“Until now, however, fragmented data and incomplete country coverage have left significant gaps in the global picture – and no breakdown by gender,” FAO said.
The organisation noted that discussions about forests often focus on their products and environmental benefits, while their role as workplaces and sources of livelihoods receives comparatively less attention.
“When we talk about forests, we tend to focus on what they provide – wood, non-wood forest products, raw materials, and the foundation of a sustainable bioeconomy. Rarely do we talk about them as workplaces. And rarer still do we ask who, exactly, works in them,” FAO stated.
The agency stressed that reliable employment data is critical to the development of policies aimed at building a sustainable and inclusive green economy.
It said internationally comparable data on forest-sector employment would enable governments and policymakers to better understand the people whose livelihoods depend on forests and develop policies that protect both workers and forest resources.
Beyond employment, forests provide ecosystem services that are vital to environmental sustainability and economic development. They also supply renewable resources that form the foundation of emerging sustainable bioeconomies.
Business
BREAKING: Uber winds down operations in Nigeria, effective September 2
“Since we first launched in Lagos in 2014, it has been an absolute privilege to be a part of your daily life connecting you with independent transportation providers.”
• An Uber driver at work
Ride-hailing company, Uber, has shut down its operations in Nigeria.
In a statement, the company, which came into Nigeria in 2014, said its exit is effective from September 2, 2026.
“After a thorough review, we have taken the difficult decision to wind down operations in Nigeria, effective September 2, 2026.”
“Since we first launched in Lagos in 2014, it has been an absolute privilege to be a part of your daily life connecting you with independent transportation providers.
“Whether it was a morning commute, a ride to see loved ones, or exploring the city, thank you for trusting the platform to connect you to a driver to get you there safely. We know this may cause disruption to your routine, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”
Uber said said its plan is to support drivers, riders and local team members through the transition.
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