Nigeria’s Manufacturing Sector Gears Up for 54th AGM, Set to Showcase Made in Nigeria Products
By Azeez Disu
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) is on the cusp of convening its 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM) from 5th to 7th October 2026 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island. The association has unveiled a series of engaging programmes designed to galvanise Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and promote vital industry dialogue.
The preparations for the three-day event were formally announced during a media briefing held in Lagos, where Otunba Francis Meshioye, President of MAN, delivered a compelling message about the sector’s resilience and prospects. “Despite the complexities of today’s operating environment, Nigerian manufacturers have continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience,” he affirmed. “It is imperative to re-emphasise again, that manufacturing remains a fundamental pillar of every resilient economy.”
The forthcoming AGM will feature the launch of the Made in Nigeria Exhibition (MiNE 2026), a platform to showcase locally manufactured products, innovations, and capabilities. This initiative aims to promote patronage of Nigerian goods, facilitate business connections, and demonstrate the sector’s capacity to meet both domestic and export demands.
A key highlight of the event will be the prestigious 6th Adeola Odutola Lecture, with Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, former Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), delivering insights into translating industrial policies into tangible economic outcomes. His extensive experience in international development is expected to enrich discussions on how Nigeria can leverage its industrial strategies for growth.
“The second day will feature the Public Session, 6th Adeola Odutola Lecture and Presidential Luncheon, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
“This will be the principal platform for interrogating our theme, “Leveraging National Industrial Policy to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Industrial Hub.”
Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella will lead the conversation as Distinguished Guest Speaker. We expect senior government officials and policymakers, members of the diplomatic community, development partners, leaders of the Organized Private Sector, captains of industry, and other stakeholders to join our members for this important conversation on Nigeria’s industrial future,” Meshioye said.
The programme set for the AGM also includes a public session and policy debates centred on Nigeria’s industrial future. Industry leaders and stakeholders will discuss how to harness Nigeria’s vast resources, market potential, and entrepreneurial spirit to build a more competitive and sustainable manufacturing landscape. The event will also spotlight emerging technologies such as smart and additive manufacturing, with dedicated sessions exploring their relevance for Nigeria’s industrial evolution.
The Made in Nigeria Exhibition will run throughout the three days, from 5th to 7th October, and will be open to the public. The third day will also feature the 54th AGM Private Session, strictly for members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General of MAN, expressed gratitude to the media for their ongoing support and underscored the importance of their role in shaping the sector’s narrative. “The road ahead for Nigerian manufacturing is promising. There will be stories that need to be told—stories of resilience, investment, policies that work, and policies that must change.
We will need you to continue asking the difficult questions, reporting with accuracy and independence, and giving Nigerian manufacturers the fair hearing that only a free and responsible press can guarantee.,” he said.
As Nigeria’s manufacturing sector prepares to showcase its resilience and innovation, the upcoming AGM promises to be a pivotal platform for policy dialogue, technological advancement, and industry growth. Leaders and stakeholders are eager to leverage this opportunity to push Nigeria closer to realising its industrial potential and positioning itself as a key player on the African and global stages.
