‘Diversification begins with patronage of made-in-Nigeria products’

Manufacturers and key players in the SME sector say diversification of the economy begins with ensuring that locally made products are purchased by Nigerians and the government.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has consistently told Nigerians that made-in-Nigeria products now have good quality and can compete locally and internationally.

“The substandard products are the ones from other countries,” Frank Jacobs, president of MAN, told Real Sector Watch recently.

Key economic players say for Nigeria to diversify its economy away from oil and create jobs for its teeming youths, the Federal Government must make it compulsory for government at all levels to patronise made-in-Nigeria goods.

They say patronage of local products will boost the operation of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the country, who are currently battling with series of problems.

“Government needs to place a ban on foreign goods and services used in all government establishments and make it compulsory for government at all levels to only patronise made-in-Nigeria goods and services,” David Omololu Aiyeola, executive secretary, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Lagos Chapter, said in an email response to question.

“If this is done, there will be growth of SMEs in the country,” he added.

Despite the creativity of these manufacturers, especially SMEs among them, finding market for their products is quite challenging, as most Nigerian consumers have high preference of foreign products over local products.

“People like my designs, but they still want to purchase foreign clothes because they see made-in- Nigeria products as inferior. Acceptability of the local products is a key challenge, which SMEs are still facing,” said Crystal Omotosimi, a fashion designer and founder, HC Vestimenta Enterprise.

AfricanFarmer Mogaji, chief executive officer, X-RAY Farms, said “SMEs in the country today have not been performing credibly well as they ought to, because Nigerians are not even patronising their products. We prefer imported items than our own locally produced commodities.”

Mogaji urged local manufacturers to ensure that they meet up with international standards and ensure their products appeal to Nigerians who will now patronise them constantly.

Local goods, which are largely branded as inferior in the past, are now seeing rapid improvements in quality, boosting their chances of compete with international market players, Real Sector Watch observes.

Nike Ademola, a student of Unilag, said, “I used to buy hand bags imported from China before and under five months, the bag would start tearing and peeling off. Now I buy our locally handmade handbags. They are far better than the one’s from China.”

“Our products are better now unlike before where you cannot even buy it,” she said.

The government has pushed several campaigns in the past aimed at encouraging the purchase of locally made products, which have been unsuccessful. But analysts believe that the government should do more to support the growth of indigenous firms and revive the economy.

Josephine Okojie