Yennco Chairman Hails New MAN President, Says Okoye’s Leadership Will Boost Nigeria’s Industrial Growth

By Praise Chinecherem

The Chairman of Yennco World Trade Fair Ltd. and organiser of the Côte d’Ivoire International Trade Fair, Dr. Onyeka Nwafor, has congratulated the newly elected President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Ifeanyi Eric Okoye, expressing confidence that his emergence will strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and accelerate industrial development.

Nwafor gave the commendation during MAN’s 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM), the 6th Adeola Odutola Lecture and the Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition (MiNE 2026), held in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The three-day gathering brought together manufacturers, policymakers, investors, development partners, members of the diplomatic community and other industry stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for advancing Nigeria’s industrial capacity.

The event was held under the theme, “Leveraging National Industrial Policy to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Industrial Hub.”

Speaking to journalists at the event, Nwafor described Okoye’s emergence as a positive development for the manufacturing industry, noting that his experience as an industrialist would be valuable in addressing the sector’s longstanding challenges.

Okoye, who is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Juhel Nigeria Limited, also known as Juhel Pharmaceuticals, has made contributions to Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries.

According to Nwafor, his background in industrial production and business management places him in a strong position to advance the interests of manufacturers and strengthen the association’s engagement with government and other critical stakeholders.

“Dr. Ifeanyi Eric Okoye’s emergence is a positive development for Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. His experience as an industrialist and manufacturer gives him a practical understanding of the challenges businesses face and the policy interventions needed to create a more competitive industrial environment,” Nwafor said.

He stressed that manufacturing remains a major driver of economic growth, with the potential to create employment opportunities, attract investments, encourage local production, reduce dependence on imports and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in the African market.

The Yennco chairman urged the new MAN leadership to intensify advocacy for policies that address the operational difficulties confronting manufacturers across the country.

He identified inadequate infrastructure, high energy costs, limited access to finance, multiple taxation, regulatory bottlenecks and an unpredictable business environment as some of the major constraints affecting industrial productivity and investment.

Nwafor expressed optimism that the new leadership would sustain constructive engagement with the Federal Government and relevant institutions to promote policies that support local industries, improve productivity and strengthen the competitiveness of Nigerian-made products.

He also commended the immediate past MAN President, Otunba Francis Meshioye, OFR, for his leadership and contributions to the association during his tenure, wishing him success in his future endeavours.

Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition Highlights Local Innovation

The MAN AGM also featured the Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition (MiNE 2026), which showcased locally manufactured products, technologies and innovations.

The exhibition provided a platform for manufacturers to engage with investors, consumers, policymakers and prospective business partners, while creating opportunities for networking, trade promotion and investment.

The 6th Adeola Odutola Lecture, organised as part of the AGM’s public session, also provided an avenue for industry leaders and other stakeholders to examine policies and strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base.

Nwafor described the gathering as an important platform for developing practical solutions to the challenges facing the country’s manufacturing and industrial sectors.

He called for stronger partnerships among manufacturers, government agencies, investors and development organisations, maintaining that sustainable industrial growth would require coordinated action, policy consistency and a deliberate commitment to domestic production.

“Nigeria has the potential to become a major industrial hub in Africa, but unlocking that potential will require sustained collaboration between government, manufacturers, investors and development partners,” he added.

The Yennco chairman further expressed his readiness to support initiatives that would deepen collaboration between MAN and organisations promoting trade, investment and industrial development in Nigeria and across the African continent.

He maintained that stronger partnerships and effective industrial policies would be essential to expanding local manufacturing capacity, creating jobs and positioning Nigerian businesses to compete more effectively across Africa.

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