Odiri Erewa-Meggison, director of corporate and regulatory affairs at British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) West and Central Africa, has been re-elected as chairman of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria Export Group (MANEG).
MANEG, which is 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.
The re-election occurred at the association’s annual general meeting held in Lagos recently.
Erewa-Meggison expressed gratitude to 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.
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“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.
Erewa-Meggison noted that under her leadership, the Group will intensify advocacy for 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.
Similarly, she highlighted the need to strengthen cross-border trade relationships to facilitate smoother trade flows and improve access to regional and international markets.
Erewa-Meggison 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.
With a track record of diverse accomplishments, her re-election marks another milestone in MANEG’s journey to champion Nigeria’s non-oil exports and ensure that the manufacturing sector remains globally competitive.
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Under her leadership, the manufacturing export association 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.
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director-general of MAN, during his speech, described the export 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 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.
