The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) organized 8th Edition of the Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Expo (NME) and the 9th Edition of the Nigerian Raw Materials Expo (NIRAM), will focus squarely on discussions and solutions that will drive the manufacturing industry towards a prosperous and sustainable future.
It will also explore innovative strategies, cutting-edge technologies, and sustainable practices that can contribute to the growth of the entire African manufacturing ecosystem.
Otunba Francis Meshioye, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria disclosed this at a press conference where he made public the plans of his association in conjunction with RMRDC for the upcoming 8th Edition of the Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Expo (NME) and the 9th Edition of the Nigerian Raw Materials Expo (NIRAM).
The Expo which has as its theme: “FutureF Manufacturing: Building a Sustainable Roadmap to the industrialization of Nigeria,” holds particular significance in the current context, highlighting the need for stakeholders to engage in in-depth discussions on the importance of forward-thinking, environmentally responsible, and industry-supportive strategies in manufacturing.
The MAN boss said this underscores manufacturing’s pivotal role as a catalyst for economic and social development within the region.
The event which is also held in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment & the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
“The NME & NIRAM Expo, recognized as the preeminent and all-encompassing event covering every facet of the manufacturing value chain, is gearing up to tackle pivotal issues in line with our theme, ‘Future Manufacturing: A roadmap to an enabling environment with sustainable industrialization.’
He said that in the ever-evolving landscape where disruptive technologies and trends, including Blockchain, Internet of Things, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Green Energy, and Augmented Reality, are set to shape the future, we must harness these innovations to foster self-sufficiency.
“ It’s equally essential not to lose sight of the importance of harnessing locally sourced raw materials and availing oneself of critical support services such as financing and logistics. These elements will play a central role in our discussions during the event, taking place from the 21st to the 23rd of November 2023, by 9am at the Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, and Lagos.”
According to him, this event serves as a pivotal platform for embracing technology to produce our own goods, support sustainable development, and ensure we are not reliant on developed nations.
He stated that we must also remain committed to utilising locally sourced raw materials and leveraging essential support services, including financing and logistics, to drive our manufacturing endeavours and propel us into a prosperous and sustainable future.
“It’s crucial to emphasise to large, medium, and small manufacturing organisations the immense opportunity presented by this year’s expo to explore novel production processes that enhance output, reduce expenses, elevate product quality, and diversify into new product lines”
Consistent with our tradition, the NME will be co-located with the Manufacturing Partnership for African Development (mPAD) conference, a strategic forum uniting thought leaders in the manufacturing sector, policymakers, and government regulatory agencies to address existing challenges and generate innovative ideas for industry growth and development. Renowned political economy and management expert, Prof. Pat Utomi, will lead this session along with distinguished manufacturers confirmed as discussants at the event.
Concurrently, the Raw Material Research & Development Council (RMRDC) will offer masterclasses featuring the latest research findings delivered by carefully selected experts. Another significant event is the Women in Manufacturing session, affording accomplished women in the field the opportunity to share their experiences with aspiring female manufacturers who may be considering entry into the sector.
Also speaking, the director general of Raw Materials Research and Development Council RMRDC, Prof. H. D. Ibrahim who was represented by John Obekpa, director Business Centre RMRDC stated that the collaboration with MAN is strategic as the roles complement each other.
He said this underscores their partnership in co-hosting these yearly expositions to maximise the benefits to our common stakeholders, who continually aim to reduce the cost of manufacturing amid the rising cost of raw materials and process equipment.
“On our part, the Council has assiduously worked over the years with stakeholders to increase manufacturers’ access to both basic and secondary raw materials. The primary production of several strategic agricultural raw materials like cotton, sorghum, tomatoes, cocoa, sheet trees, oil palms, soya beans, cane sugar, cashew, fruits and sesame have been boosted by providing specific farmers with improved seeds or seedlings as the case might be. “
“Also, establishing over fourty pilot plants at the recently inaugurated Raw Materials and Development Council’s Technology and Innovation Complex, Obasanjo Space Centre, Airport Road, Abuja, is a testimony to our unwavering commitment to ensuring competitiveness in raw materials and products development.”
He said the pilot plants at the complex signpost the Nigerian ‘’I Can Do spirit’’ as it has emerged as a unique manufacturers’ hub.
The RMRDC boss beckons on venture capitalists to replicate the plants across the country for increased manufacturing activities even as their feasibility/viability and the capability of Nigerian Engineers to design and fabricate manufacturing equipment have been astutely demonstrated by the quality of indigenous engineering prowess brought to bear in putting the Technology and Innovation Complex together.
The centre has developed technologies that can produce caustic soda, soap noodles, calcium carbonate, lovastatin, herbal medicine, calcined kaolin, chemicals, talc, hydrated lime, essential oil, API from Mushrooms, Artemesia and triple concentrate tomato paste, which are secondary raw materials which are hitherto with limited local inputs and heavily imported. The technical feasibility/viability of all these have been ascertained and need scaling up for investment.
These innovations and their products would be on display at the expo alongside other local raw materials and products with the hope that a detailed exposê of the nation’s raw materials and their potential to grow the manufacturing sector will be made.
