By HUSSAINA YAKUBU

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called for stronger collaboration with Kaduna State Government to address challenges affecting the manufacturing sector.

The association made the call on Wednesday when its delegation, led by its Vice President, North West, Engr. Iliyasu Sale, paid a courtesy visit to Kaduna Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe.

Sale said the delegation was in Kaduna to appreciate the administration’s interventions and support for manufacturers.

He also said the visit provided an opportunity for MAN to present challenges affecting manufacturers and seek government intervention.

Sale said MAN, established in 1971, represented more than 2,500 manufacturing companies across 10 sectoral groups and over 72 manufacturing subsectors.

He said the association promoted and protected manufacturers’ interests through advocacy, research and constructive engagement with the government.

Sale commended the Kaduna Government for rehabilitating the Kakuri Industrial Area, which he said was approximately 99 per cent completed.

The MAN vice president said Kaduna had significant potential to become a leading manufacturing and investment destination with continued government support.

In his remarks, MAN Director General, Mr Segun Kadiri, said stronger public private partnerships were needed to create an environment conducive to industrial growth.

Kadiri said Kaduna had demonstrated commitment to such partnerships and remained an important manufacturing destination in Northern Nigeria.

He urged the government to address the high cost and limited access to finance, saying high interest rates were undermining manufacturers’ competitiveness.

According to him, borrowing at interest rates between 30 and 35 per cent makes it difficult for manufacturers to compete with imported products.

He also identified high electricity costs, unstable power supply, multiple taxation and regulatory burdens as major challenges facing manufacturers.

Kadiri called for better coordination between state agencies and local governments to streamline tax collection and reduce the burden on businesses.

He urged the government to patronise locally manufactured goods, saying the practice would support industries, create jobs and strengthen the domestic economy.

The MAN director general also called for proper implementation of the tax reforms and urged the government to address concerns over their application.

He proposed quarterly engagements between government and manufacturers to ensure regular discussion and prompt resolution of emerging challenges.

Kadiri appealed to the Kaduna Government to include industrial areas in its energy intervention programmes to reduce production costs.

He commended Kaduna for providing leadership in industrial development, describing the state as a major centre of commerce and industry in Northern Nigeria.

Kadiri expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between government and MAN would improve industrial competitiveness, create jobs and accelerate economic development.

Balarabe who received the delegation on behalf of Gov. Uba Sani welcomed MAN members to Kaduna for its Annual General Meeting (AGM).

She appreciated MAN for choosing Kaduna to host the AGM, saying the event would strengthen government industry relations and contribute to the state’s economy.

The deputy governor urged participants from outside Kaduna to explore the state, interact with residents and experience the hospitality of its people.

Balarabe described manufacturing as a critical driver of Nigeria’s economic development, diversification, employment, value addition, import substitution, exports and revenue generation.

She said manufacturing contributed about 8.05 per cent of Nigeria’s real GDP in 2025.

According to her, the sector also contributed about N1.17 trillion and recorded 3.29 per cent year-on-year growth in the first quarter of 2026.

Balarabe said Kaduna’s historical position as an industrial hub in Northern Nigeria remained significant because of its strategic location and resources.

She identified the state’s agricultural resources and young, innovative population as major advantages for industrial development.

The deputy governor said Kaduna had enormous opportunities in agro-processing, textiles, food and beverages and other manufacturing activities.

She urged MAN to help attract more investors to Kaduna as part of efforts to restore its position as an industrial hub.

Balarabe reaffirmed the administration’s vision of making Kaduna the industrial hub of Northern Nigeria through investment promotion and industrial clusters.

She said the government would continue to prioritise infrastructure, MSMEs, skills development, agro processing and an improved business environment.

The deputy governor said the government would reactivate business breakfast and dinner engagements with manufacturers to provide regular platforms for addressing industry challenges.

She said such engagements would strengthen aftercare services and enable the government to better understand and respond to investors’ concerns.

Balarabe assured the delegation that the government would examine the issues raised and establish a stronger structure for regular engagement with MAN.

She urged manufacturers to continue providing feedback on government policies, saying constructive criticism was necessary for improvement.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was part of activities marking MAN’s AGM, being hosted in Kaduna. (NAN)