Owojaiye Emerges MANEG Chair, Succeeds Erewa-Meggison

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MANEG), has appointed the Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, BAT Nigeria, Ms. Ruth Owojaiye, as its new chairman.

Following this appointment, Owojaiye succeed Ms. Odiri Erewa-Meggison, who was the former chairman of MANEG and would be leading the group’s strategic efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s export competitiveness and promote export-led industrial growth.

Owojaiye will be assuming leadership of MANEG at a pivotal time for Nigeria’s manufacturing sector when the federal government and industry are intensifing efforts to boost and diversify non-oil exports, deepen industrialisation and maximise opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

A respected corporate affairs and public policy professional, Owojaiye will bring her more than two decades of leadership experience spanning corporate affairs, communications, regulatory affairs, sustainability, stakeholder engagement and public policy advocacy.

According to MANEG, “she has built a strong reputation for fostering constructive partnership between government and the private sector, championing evidence-based policymaking and advancing initiatives that promote responsible business practices, sustainable development and economic growth.

“Her extensive experience navigating Nigeria’s evolving regulatory landscape and building strategic partnerships positions her well to lead MANEG’s next phase of growth and advocacy.

“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 Nigeria’s export competitiveness, enhance market access for locally manufactured products and create a more enabling environment for export-oriented manufacturing.”

Owojaiye commended Erewa-Meggison for her visionary leadership and significant contributions to advancing MANEG’s mission of promoting Nigeria’s non-oil exports and strengthening the competitiveness of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

She said: “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.

“Nigeria has the talent, industrial capacity and entrepreneurial drive to become one of Africa’s leading export manufacturing hubs.

“Achieving this requires stronger collaboration between government and industry, consistent policies and practical reforms that make exporting easier and more competitive.

“Together, we will champion initiatives that unlock greater opportunities for Nigerian manufacturers to compete and succeed across Africa and global markets.”

According to her, Nigeria possesses the industrial capacity, entrepreneurial talent and resource base to become one of Africa’s foremost manufacturing and export hubs, unlocking this potential will require sustained policy consistency, investment in infrastructure, improved trade facilitation, regulatory efficiency and stronger support for value-added manufacturing.

She emphasised that export competitiveness must remain central pillar of Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation strategy.

“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 urged.

Under Owojaiye’s leadership, MANEG is expected to intensify its advocacy for policies that improve the ease of exporting, strengthen logistics and infrastructure, expand market access, encourage value addition and support Nigerian manufacturers in competing more effectively in regional and international markets.