BATN’s Odiri Erewa-Meggison Re-elected as Chairman of MAN Export Group
Dike Onwuamaeze
The Manufacturing Association of Nigeria Export Group (MANEG) has re-elected the External Affairs Director at British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), Mrs. Odiri Erewa-Meggison, as its chairman at the group’s recent Annual General Meeting at MAN House, Ikeja, Lagos.
Erewa-Neggison’s re-election reflected 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.
MANEG, is a key export advocacy body within the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) that represents the collective interests of Nigerian manufacturers engaged in exports by promoting policies and initiatives that enhance non-oil exports, improve competitiveness, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
In her acceptance speech, 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.
She said: “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 reiterated MANEG’s vision of driving sustainable development and job creation, and emphasised that non-oil exports remained a critical pathway for generating foreign exchange and creating meaningful employment for Nigeria’s young population.
She also stated that the group would intensify its 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 would continue its engagement with government stakeholders to shape policies that would 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.
Erewa-Neggison 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.
Her re-election marked another milestone in MANEG’s journey to champion Nigeria’s non-oil exports and ensure that the manufacturing sector remained 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.
Present at the occasion were the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olajumoke Omoniyi Oduwole, who was represented by a Director in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms. Hajara Usman, a Director in the Ministry; Minister of State for Finance who was represented by Musa Umar, a Deputy Director in the Ministry, Mr. Muda Umar; the Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir,; Professor Emmanuel Olawale Ogunkola of the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan, who was the special guest speaker as well as the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), among several other distinguished guests.
In his remarks, 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.
He 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.
