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BY ABU-SATAR HAMED
LAGOS, NIGERIA, 10 October 10, 2025: The Manufacturing Association of Nigeria Export Group (MANEG) has re-elected Mrs. Odiri Erewa-Meggison, FCIS, External Affairs Director at British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), as its Chairman at the Group’s Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at MAN House, Ikeja, Lagos.
Her re-election reflects the continued confidence of MANEG members in her visionary leadership, dedication to inclusive growth, and her steadfast commitment to advancing Nigeria’s export performance on the global stage.
In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Erewa-Meggison expressed profound gratitude to MANEG members for the renewed mandate and pledged to consolidate on the Group’s achievements while championing innovative programmes to position Nigeria’s non-oil exports as a major contributor to sustainable national development.
“It is with great honour and humility that I stand before you today, deeply grateful for the confidence you have once again placed in me. Together, we will continue to elevate MANEG, building on the solid foundation established by those who came before us, while driving new initiatives that strengthen our role as a leading voice in Nigeria’s export ecosystem”, she said.
She reiterated MANEG’s vision of driving sustainable development and job creation, emphasising that non-oil exports remain a critical pathway for generating foreign exchange and creating meaningful employment for Nigeria’s young population.
Mrs. Erewa-Meggison stated that the Group will intensify advocacy for the proper administration of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) to ensure fairness, transparency, and the clearance of outstanding claims.
She also noted that MANEG will continue its engagement with government stakeholders to shape policies that enhance the competitiveness of Made-in-Nigeria products and reduce operational costs for exporters.
Furthermore, she highlighted the need to strengthen cross-border trade relationships to facilitate smoother trade flows and improve access to regional and international markets.
She explained that MANEG would also assist its members in understanding and navigating opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), by identifying growth prospects, addressing challenges, and ensuring that Nigerian exporters are well-positioned to benefit from the continental trade framework.
Mrs. Erewa-Meggison’s re-election marked another milestone in MANEG’s journey to champion Nigeria’s non-oil exports and ensure that the manufacturing sector remains globally competitive.
Under her leadership, MANEG has strengthened its advocacy on export incentives, improved visibility for Nigerian exporters, and elevated the voice of manufacturers in policy discussions both nationally and across Africa.
In his remarks, Mr. Ajayi-Kadir described the Export Promotion Group as a vital catalyst for Nigeria’s industrial growth, job creation, and foreign exchange stability.
He noted that export-led industrialisation remains pivotal to achieving sustainable development, as it promotes value addition, enhances local production capacity, and boosts competitiveness in global markets.
Ajayi-Kadir further emphasised that with the right policy environment including stable power supply, improved access to finance, and efficient logistics infrastructure, Nigeria’s manufacturing exporters can serve as a strong engine for inclusive economic growth and large-scale employment generation.
Present at the occasion were Dr. Olajumoke Omoniyi Oduwole, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, ably represented by Hajia Hajara Usman, a Director in the Ministry; Minister of State for Finance, represented by Musa Umar, a Deputy Director in the Ministry; Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Professor Emmanuel Olawale Ogunkola, Professor of Economics at the University of Ibadan and Special Guest Speaker; as well as the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), among several other distinguished guests.
MANEG, a key export advocacy body within the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), represents the collective interests of Nigerian manufacturers engaged in exports, promoting policies and initiatives that enhance non-oil exports, improve competitiveness, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
