MAN lauds Coleman’s backward integration
By Chikodi Okereocha The backward integration strategy of Coleman Technical Industries Limited aligns with the broader goal of building stronger industrial value chains across Africa, the Director-General of the Manufacturers
By Chikodi Okereocha
The backward integration strategy of Coleman Technical Industries Limited aligns with the broader goal of building stronger industrial value chains across Africa, the Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, has said.
Ajayi-Kadir, who lauded Coleman’s backward integration efforts, said Africa must bridge the gap in industrial capacity by developing the ability to process and add value to its abundant natural resources rather than exporting them in raw form.
“Africa must bridge the gap in industrial capacity. Countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo have abundant resources but lack the capacity to maximise their value. What we have seen here, especially the backward integration efforts, fits perfectly into the narrative of building stronger African value chains,” he stated.
The MAN DG made these remarks on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by a MAN delegation to the Coleman factory in Sagamu, Ogun State, where the team toured the facility and held discussions with the company’s leadership.
Ajayi-Kadir also commended Coleman for its leadership in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, describing the company as a “champion” that the Association is eager to partner with in advancing industrial development.
He conveyed apologies on behalf of the President of MAN, Francis Meshioye, who was unable to attend the visit due to other pressing engagements.
Ajayi-Kadir noted that Ogun State has increasingly emerged as a key manufacturing hub in Nigeria, with the state competing strongly with other industrial centres across Africa in terms of the number of manufacturers operating within its borders.
According to him, the factory tour provided deeper insight into Coleman’s growth trajectory and its strategic investments in telecommunications and power infrastructure through the production of wires and cables.
“Nobody imagined that tele-density would grow this fast, and that government would be working towards expanding communication access across the country. At the heart of that development is connectivity, and we are happy that Coleman is right at the centre of it,” he said.
Ajayi-Kadir added that Coleman’s vision of expanding beyond Nigeria into West Africa and other parts of the continent aligns with regional integration objectives and the need to strengthen intra-African industrial collaboration.
He further highlighted the Association’s ongoing advocacy for policies that prioritise local manufacturing and encourage Nigerians to patronise locally produced goods.
According to him, MAN’s upcoming general meeting will focus on advancing industrial policies that promote a “Nigeria First” approach while recognising companies that have distinguished themselves as leaders in the manufacturing sector.
“One of the things we intend to do this year is to showcase our champions in manufacturing, and Coleman is certainly one of those champions we are proud to work with,” Ajayi-Kadir said.
Responding, the Chairman of Coleman Technical Industries Limited, Solomon Onafowokan, thanked the MAN delegation for the visit and for taking the time to inspect the company’s facilities.
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Onafowokan said the visit provided an opportunity for the Association to see firsthand the scale of operations at the Sagamu plant and better understand the company’s contributions to Nigeria’s industrial growth.
“We are very delighted to receive you and grateful that you took the time to go round the factory. When people see what we are doing physically, they understand our work better and the scale of what we are building,” he said.
He added that the company values its longstanding relationship with MAN and looks forward to deeper collaboration aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
“We appreciate your visit and the opportunity to hear your observations. Sometimes you cannot see yourself clearly, so it is important for partners like MAN to share what they believe about the work we are doing,” Onafowokan said.
