Manufacturers must embrace digital transformation, artificial intelligence and other smart technologies to remain competitive despite Nigeria’s economic challenges, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has advised.
According to Mahmoud, businesses could improve productivity, reduce production costs and strengthen their competitiveness by adopting smart manufacturing technologies and restructuring their operations to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global economy.
Speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting and Public Lecture of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Abuja, Nasarawa and Niger Branch on Thursday, the minister reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to creating an enabling environment for manufacturing through sustained investment in infrastructure and business-friendly policies.
Mahmoud who was represented by her Special Assistant on Social Development Secretariat, Helen Zamani, said manufacturers should embrace “capital restructuring, digital transformation, automation, artificial intelligence and other smart manufacturing technologies to improve productivity, reduce costs and remain competitive despite prevailing economic challenges.”
While describing manufacturing as a key driver of economic growth, employment generation and national prosperity, Mahmoud said the FCT Administration under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had continued to invest in roads, transportation, water supply, security and urban renewal to improve the ease of doing business and attract private sector investment.
She also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to promote investment, technology transfer, innovation, skills development and local content.
The minister reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s support for initiatives that advance enterprise, industrialisation and inclusive economic growth in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She commended the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria for its steadfast advocacy for policies that strengthen Nigeria’s productive sector and expressed confidence that the meeting’s deliberations would produce practical solutions to advance sustainable industrial development.
Earlier, Chairman of MAN, Abuja, Nasarawa and Niger Branch, Mr. Kayode Alonge, appealed to governments at all levels to intensify support for the manufacturing sector by addressing critical infrastructure deficits, high energy costs, multiple taxation, insecurity and limited access to affordable financing.
Alonge said manufacturers across Abuja, Nasarawa and Niger had remained resilient despite prevailing macroeconomic challenges, sustaining production, creating jobs and contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economy.
He specifically commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for ongoing infrastructure development across the Territory, while appealing for urgent intervention in the Idu Industrial District to address poor road infrastructure and unstable power supply affecting manufacturing activities.
