The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite says the ministry will strengthen collaboration with manufacturers to enhance manufacturing performance to spur economic growth and development.

Uzoka-Anite said this at the opening ceremony of the seventh edition of the Nigerian Manufacturing Equipment Expo and the ninth edition of the Nigerian Raw Materials Expo on Tuesday in Lagos.

NAN reports that the expo had as its theme: “Future Manufacturing: Building a Sustainable Roadmap to the Industrialisation of Nigeria.”

The Minister represented by Mrs Olumuyiwa Ajayi-Ade, a deputy director of the ministry, said Nigeria must prioritise development of its raw materials sector to support our manufacturing industry.

According to her, by focusing on value addition and local sourcing, the country can reduce its reliance on imported raw materials and improve the overall competitiveness of our products.

She said the ministry’s policy initiatives were centered on creating an enabling environment to boost the competitiveness of manufacturers.

Uzoka-Anite added that the ministry was committed to incentivising production activities, and promoting the use of made-in-Nigeria products to increase its contributions to the Gross Domestic Product and job creation.

She noted that while the future of manufacturing in Nigeria was reliant on its ability to embrace technological advancements, manufacturers must begin to leverage emerging technological trends to drive productivity.

“By adopting these cutting-edge technologies, competitiveness of our local manufacturers would be boosted and Nigeria would be positioned as a global manufacturing hub.

“In line with the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, it is essential that we intentionally shift our focus towards non-oil manufacturing sectors such as agriculture, textiles, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.

“Through fostering innovation, championing local content, and strategically investing in critical infrastructure, we have the potential to catalyse the development of a robust and globally competitive manufacturing sector, thereby significantly contributing to our economy,” she said.