Connect with us

Business

Nigeria To Privatise Raw Materials Sector for Growth – Minister

Published

on

30 Views

Set up Council for Industrial Revitalisation
▪︎ MAN, RMRDC agog

Cover image: From left to right: Interim Chairman of Pan African Manufacturers Association, Engr Mansur Ahmed; MAN President, Otunba Francis Meshioye; Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olumuyiwa Ajayi-Ade, at the NME, and NIRAM EXPO 2023 in Lagos.

By Ocheneyi Alli


The Federal Government of Nigeria is considering to privatise the country’s industrial raw materials sector for development by local or foreign investors.

Doris Anite Uzoka, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, gave this hint, during the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC)’s ongoing Manufacturing Equipment and Raw Materials Exposition, in Lagos.

At the event which will end tomorrow, themed ‘ Future Manufacturing: A Roadmap To Enabling Environment  With Sustainable Industrialisation,’ the Minister said ,” we must privatise our raw materials sector  to support  our Manufacturing industries and by focusing on value addition  and local content development; we can reduce our reliance on imported raw materials and improve the overall competitiveness of our products. 
This will also contributes to the growth of the SMEs and empower local entrepreneurs to participate actively in the manufacturing value chain.

Represented by Olumuyiwa Ajayi- Ade, a Deputy Director at the ministry, the Minister, also disclosed : ” since my assumption of  office, with the approval of President Tinubu, a Presidential Council For Industrial Revitalisation, has been established, with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy – Wale Edun, as the Chairman, and myself as the Vice Chair.
In addition, various Task Forces have been formed to effectively implement the mandates of the Presidential Council…”


In picture: A tour of the RMRDC exhibition stand by the representative of the Minister, Olumuyiwa Ajayi -Ade, led by Otunba Francis Meshioye, President of MAN, and other top dignitaries

The Minister enjoined all the stakeholders- manufacturers, policy makers , investors including the industry experts to ” let us work together to shape the manufacturing sector in Nigeria, in-line with Mr. President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

There are so many projects now at the RMRDC… if only we can get genuine and willing investors to take over these projects and start the raw materials productions in large quantity.  It will go a long way in the supply of raw materials for our industries

Dr. Abubakar Aliyu, a former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology , applauded the government’s policy intention to privatise the country’s raw materials sector, given the facts that the efforts of the RMRDC alone coupled with the 100 companies operating in the sector are not enough to meeting the industrial sector’s demands for local raw materials.

Dr. Aliyu, a former Director-General of the RMRDC, spoke as the guest speaker on the topic ‘ Opportunities For Jobs Creation and Wealth Generation  with Emphasis on Raw Materials Value Addition.

He said that since the establishment of the RMRDC in 1987 till- date , it had researched , developed, patented and established 100 Technology Innovation Centers (TICs) to address local raw materials development.
All these TIC have been brought under one umbrella because of the insecurity situations across the country now.

We can hardly move  to every sites where there are raw materials to establish model factories.  This was why the TIC have been brought under one location in Abuja.


There are so many projects now at the RMRDC.. if only we can get genuine and willing investors to take over these projects and start the raw materials productions in large quantity.  It will go a long way in the supply of raw materials for our industries.

He further said that besides the 100 TICs, there are 100 individual companies  that have been producing fertiliser raw materials in Nigeria.

” Unfortunately, the 100 companies are not able to produce enough to meeting local demand.  Nigeria needs about 3 million metric tons of the urea fertiliser and 5 million metric tons of the NPk fertiliser.


We need to do more; that’s why I said if we can get correct investors to invest in organic fertiliser, I believe that after few years, we can ban the importation of organic fertiliser in Nigeria,” he said.

Otunba Francis Meshioye, the President of MAN, also the government to also  establish synergy between trade and industrial policies.

” It will be a great legacy if this is achieved during your tenure because industry and trade are under your portfolio.

In addition, it will also be great if your tenure births a new Industrial Policy for the country,” he said.


He said that beyond the government’s solutions, local manufacturers should begin to switch their manufacturing plants to Industry 4.0 advanced manufacturing technologies into their production processes, so that they can realize greater revenue and profits from their investments.

” If manufacturers can efficiently balance a combination of efficient economies of production and supply chains; strong and reputable products; loyal customers; an established logistics network; as well as reliable on-line business elements, they will be well-positioned in the future to compete favourably in the industrial marketplace,” he said.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Dangote Refinery Debunks shutdown rumour, says PMS’s gantry price remains N850

Published

on

71 Views

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has firmly dismissed recent reports alleging a shutdown of its operations, reassuring the public and market stakeholders that its activities remain fully active and stable.

In an official statement by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery’s management categorically denied claims that truck loading has been suspended or that production has been interrupted. “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is fully operational. There has been no shutdown, nor has there been any suspension of truck loading activities” the statement reads.

The refinery also clarified that the intermittent sale of Residual Catalytic Oil (RCO) is part of normal business operations, often involving large parcel sales, which explains the recent fuel oil tender.

According to the management, Dangote Petroleum Refinery consistently supplies over 40 million litres of PMS daily, alongside steady volumes of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel). These supplies continue unabated, despite speculation suggesting otherwise.

“As the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery, the facility employs advanced predictive and preventive maintenance protocols to ensure uninterrupted operations. Routine maintenance activities are standard and do not impact the overall fuel supply” the statement further clarified.

In response to speculation about potential supply shortages and price increases, the refinery challenged those sponsoring the rumour to place orders for daily deliveries of up to 40 million litres of PMS and 15 million litres of diesel for the next 90 days.

“To those who believe this misinformation and anticipate a bullish market, we extend a challenge: We invite interested buyers to place immediate orders for up to 40 million litres of PMS daily and 15 million litres of AGO daily, for the next 90 days, with full upfront payment. Should any supposed supply shortage occur, these buyers would be well-positioned to benefit from the predicted market rise,” it added.

The refinery reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and Nigeria’s energy security, urging the public to disregard unfounded rumours sponsored by unscrupulous and unpatriotic individuals seeking to undermine the country’s energy independence for their own selfish interests, including the importation of substandard fuels under the false pretext of domestic supply shortages.

Continue Reading

Business

Ikeja Electric releases new prepaid meter prices

Published

on

51 Views

Ikeja Electric has released updated prices for prepaid meters, which take effect from August 6, 2025. The revised rates cover both single-phase and three-phase meter types and are inclusive of VAT.

The revised rates were announced on the disco’s official X account on Friday.

The company announced that “MBH Power Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦135,987.50,  while the three-phase costs ₦226,825.00. Turbo Energy Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦145,608.75, while the three-phase costs ₦236,903.13.

“Aries Electric Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦145,125.00, and the three-phase costs ₦258,000.00. Mojec Asset Management Company Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦135,718.75, and the three-phase costs ₦226,825.00.

“Paktim Metering Nig. Ltd, the one-phase meter costs ₦137,600.00, while the three-phase meter costs ₦233,275.00. Holley Metering Ltd’s one-phase meter costs ₦133,854.03, three-phase meter costs ₦219,497.09.

“CIG Metering Assets Nigeria Ltd’s one-phase meter costs ₦150,500.00, New Hampshire Capital Ltd’s one-phase meter costs ₦133,300.00 and the three-phase costs ₦231,125.00.”

The electricity distribution company noted that the prices are “valid subject to meter availability,” adding that the changes are part of its effort to ensure customers have access to up-to-date information on meter procurement.

The company also assured customers that the new pricing reflects the latest approved rates for meter providers under its Meter Asset Provider scheme.

Continue Reading

Business

Global electricity demand to keep growing robustly through 2026 despite economic headwinds – IEA

Renewables are expected to overtake coal as the world’s largest source of electricity as early as 2025 or by 2026 at the latest, depending on weather and fuel price trends.

Published

on

By

43 Views

Global electricity demand is set to rise by 3.3% in 2025 and 3.7% in 2026 – more than twice as fast as total energy demand growth over the same period, the IEA’s Electricity Mid-Year Update finds.

The new report underscores the increasing demand for electricity to power factories and appliances, keep buildings cool, operate growing fleets of data centres, run electric vehicles and more.

While the latest forecasts for global electricity demand growth this year and next are a deceleration from the 4.4% surge recorded in 2024, they remain well above the 2015-2023 average of 2.6%.

Renewables are expected to overtake coal as the world’s largest source of electricity as early as 2025 or by 2026 at the latest, depending on weather and fuel price trends.

At the same time, nuclear power output is expected to reach record highs, driven by reactor restarts in Japan, robust output in the United States and France, and new additions, mostly in Asia.

The steady increase in gas-fired power generation is set to continue displacing coal and oil in the power sector in many regions.

As a result of these developments, carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation are currently forecast to plateau in 2025 and record a slight decline in 2026, although weather and economic conditions could affect that trajectory.

“The growth in global electricity demand is set to remain robust through 2026, despite an uncertain economic backdrop,” said Keisuke Sadamori, IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security.

“The strong expansion of renewables and nuclear is steadily reshaping electricity markets in many regions. But this must be matched by greater investment in grids, storage and other sources of flexibility to ensure power systems can meet the growing demand securely and affordably.”

Continue Reading

Trending