Yemisi Izuora
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed confidence that the country’s economy will continue growing in the year.
The Association noted that the outlook for Nigeria’s economy in 2026 is broadly positive and for the manufacturing sector, this means opportunity, but only if the right policies are in place.
Otunba Francis Meshioye, President of the MAN, in his speech during the 2026 Edition of the MAN Media Personality of the Year Award and Presidential Media Luncheon Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in Lagos, projects the sector to grow by 3.1 per cent this year, contributing over 10 per cent to GDP.
However, he said that to achieve this, the Association’s advocacy will focus squarely on the fundamentals that matter most to industry.
Meshioye, listed the Association’s 2026 priorities to include canvassing capital expenditure that supports manufacturing,securing affordable and reliable energy for industry and expanding access to long-term, low-cost finance.
The rest are restraining excessive taxation and regulatory burdens, promoting policy consistency and predictability and championing patronage of made in Nigeria products.
In practice, this means sustained engagement to ensure investments in power, transport, and other industrial infrastructure are fully delivered; advancing gas to power solutions and grid modernization; expanding credit intervention programmes; and redressing fiscal and regulatory measures that undermine competitiveness.
The President assured that the MAN will adopt a more structured, evidence driven advocacy strategy this year, engaging early with government on budget priorities, producing concise policy briefs backed by data, and building stronger alliances within the organised private sector.
“Our message will be simple but firm: manufacturing is central to jobs, exports, and fiscal sustainability. When manufacturing thrives, Nigeria thrives. We are fully aware of the early onset of the political activities in 2026 and we have seen the need to continuously ensure that Government does not relegate the wellbeing of the economy to the background, on account of politicking.” added Meshioye.
He said, “There is no gainsaying that manufacturing remains central to Nigeria’s economic transformation. A thriving manufacturing sector means jobs, exports, innovation, and shared prosperity. Simply put: when manufacturing wins, Nigeria wins. Government must therefore see manufacturing not as a sector to manage, but as a partner to empower.”
He expressed deep appreciation to the media for standing with Nigerian manufacturers throughout 2025,adding, “As we move into 2026, I urge you to continue telling the story of industry with accuracy, depth, and courage. Nations are built not only by factories, but by the stories that promote and defend them”