Stakeholders chart course for manufacturing at LBS Forum

Key stakeholders from Nigeria’s business and policy community have outlined strategic actions needed to reposition the country’s manufacturing sector for sustainable growth, during a high-level forum hosted by the Lagos Business School (LBS) Breakfast Club. The exclusive session brought together senior executives, industry leaders, and economic experts to examine Nigeria’s pathway to becoming a leading […]

Key stakeholders from Nigeria’s business and policy community have outlined strategic actions needed to reposition the country’s manufacturing sector for sustainable growth, during a high-level forum hosted by the Lagos Business School (LBS) Breakfast Club.

The exclusive session brought together senior executives, industry leaders, and economic experts to examine Nigeria’s pathway to becoming a leading manufacturing and services hub in Africa, amid evolving macroeconomic and policy conditions.

Providing an economic backdrop to the discussions, Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), in his presentation highlighted critical macroeconomic trends, market dynamics, and policy indicators shaping the operating environment for manufacturers, stressing the importance of long-term planning and resilience in navigating economic cycles.

A fireside chat featuring Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, and moderated by Professor Olawale Ajai of Lagos Business School, formed the centrepiece of the forum.

The discussion focused on the theme “Challenges and Opportunities for Making Nigeria the Leading Manufacturing and Services Hub in Africa.”

Dangote underscored the role of backward integration, local value addition, and large-scale investment in building a competitive manufacturing base.

Participants also examined the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that improved productivity, quality standards, and infrastructure would be essential for Nigerian manufacturers to compete effectively across regional markets.

During an interactive question-and-answer session, stakeholders raised concerns around energy reliability, supply chain resilience, access to finance, and the need for stronger alignment between government policy and private-sector investment. Innovation and skills development were identified as critical enablers for enhancing productivity and driving industrial expansion.

The forum was supported by First Bank of Nigeria, Optimus Bank, Cowry Asset Management Limited, and Afrinvest Limited, organisations committed to promoting executive education and strengthening Nigeria’s business ecosystem.

Stakeholders agreed that while Nigeria possesses the market size, entrepreneurial capacity, and resource base to become a manufacturing powerhouse, realising this potential will require coordinated action, policy consistency, and sustained investment.

Through platforms such as the LBS Breakfast Club, industry leaders continue to shape dialogue aimed at unlocking the country’s industrial future and driving inclusive economic growth.