The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group has appointed Ruth Owojaiye, Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at British American Tobacco Nigeria, as its new chair, as it aims to boost the country’s non-oil exports.
In a statement, MANEG announced that Owojaiye would succeed former chair Odiri Erewa-Meggison and lead the group’s push to strengthen Nigeria’s export competitiveness and promote export-led industrial growth.
The statement noted that Owojaiye takes over at a critical time, as government and industry step up efforts to boost and diversify non-oil exports, deepen industrialisation and tap into opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
MANEG described Owojaiye as a respected corporate affairs and public policy professional with over two decades of experience spanning corporate affairs, communications, regulatory affairs, sustainability, stakeholder engagement and public policy advocacy.
The group said she had built a reputation for fostering partnership between government and the private sector, championing evidence-based policymaking, and advancing responsible business practices and sustainable development.
As chair, Owojaiye will lead MANEG’s engagement with government, policymakers, regulators, development partners and industry stakeholders to advance reforms that improve trade facilitation, strengthen export competitiveness and enhance market access for locally manufactured products.
Owojaiye commended her predecessor for her contributions to MANEG’s mission of promoting Nigeria’s non-oil exports.
“I am honoured to build on the strong foundation laid by Odiri Erewa-Meggison, whose leadership has strengthened MANEG’s voice in shaping Nigeria’s export agenda,” she said.
She added that Nigeria has the talent, industrial capacity and entrepreneurial drive to become one of Africa’s leading export manufacturing hubs, but stressed that achieving this would require stronger collaboration between government and industry, consistent policies and practical reforms.
“Together, we will champion initiatives that unlock greater opportunities for Nigerian manufacturers to compete and succeed across Africa and global markets,” she said.
Owojaiye said Nigeria possesses the industrial capacity, entrepreneurial talent and resource base to become one of Africa’s foremost manufacturing and export hubs, but noted that unlocking this potential would require policy consistency, infrastructure investment, improved trade facilitation and regulatory efficiency.
“By creating an enabling environment for manufacturers to innovate, produce competitively and access regional and international markets, we can diversify the economy, strengthen foreign exchange earnings, create quality jobs and accelerate inclusive growth,” she said.
MANEG said industry stakeholders had welcomed the appointment as timely, given that manufacturers are navigating a rapidly evolving economic landscape shaped by macroeconomic reforms, changing global trade dynamics and expanding regional integration.
The group said it expects Owojaiye’s leadership to intensify advocacy for policies that ease exporting, strengthen logistics and infrastructure, expand market access and encourage value addition among Nigerian manufacturers.
MANEG is the export promotion arm of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. It advocates policies that strengthen Nigeria’s export competitiveness and supports manufacturers in accessing regional and international markets.
SOURCE: PUNCH NEWS PAPER
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