The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has urged Nigerian manufacturers to embrace digital transformation, artificial intelligence, automation and capital restructuring to improve productivity, cut production costs and remain competitive amid prevailing economic challenges.
Mahmoud made the call on Thursday at the 13th Annual General Meeting and Public Lecture of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Abuja, Nasarawa and Niger Branch, held in Abuja.
Represented by her Special Assistant on Social Development Secretariat, Helen Zamani, the minister described manufacturing as a critical driver of economic growth, job creation and national prosperity, stressing that technology adoption had become indispensable for industrial competitiveness.
She said the FCT Administration remained committed to creating an enabling environment for industrial growth through sustained investment in infrastructure and policies that support businesses.
According to her, the administration of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has prioritised the development of roads, transportation, water supply, security and urban renewal to improve the ease of doing business and attract private investment.
Mahmoud also called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to deepen investment, technology transfer, innovation, skills development and local content development.
She reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote enterprise, industrialisation and inclusive economic growth in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister commended MAN for its continued advocacy for policies aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s productive sector, expressing optimism that deliberations at the meeting would produce practical solutions to boost sustainable industrial development.
Earlier, the Chairman of MAN’s Abuja, Nasarawa and Niger Branch, Kayode Alonge, urged governments at all levels to tackle infrastructure deficits, rising energy costs, multiple taxation, insecurity and limited access to affordable financing, which he said continue to threaten the growth of the manufacturing sector.
Despite the difficult operating environment, Alonge said manufacturers across the three jurisdictions had remained resilient, sustaining production, creating jobs and contributing significantly to the nation’s economy.
He appealed to the FCT Administration as well as the governments of Nasarawa and Niger states to scale up investment in industrial infrastructure, particularly roads, electricity and security.
Alonge also called on the Federal Government to fully institutionalise the Nigeria First Policy to encourage patronage of locally manufactured goods and strengthen the country’s industrial competitiveness.
He commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for ongoing infrastructure development across the territory but appealed for urgent intervention in the Idu Industrial District, citing poor road networks and unstable electricity supply as major constraints to manufacturing activities.
The MAN chairman reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting innovation, renewable energy adoption, local sourcing and strategic partnerships, expressing confidence that closer collaboration between government and industry would unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.