The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has renewed its call for coordinated structural reforms to address inflation, improve productivity and strengthen the competitiveness of the country’s manufacturing sector, as it looked ahead to the second half of 2026 following disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

The association made the call against the backdrop of the latest National Bureau of Statistics data, which showed that Nigeria’s headline inflation eased marginally to 15.91 per cent in June 2026 from 15.93 per cent in May. However, food inflation accelerated on a month-on-month basis, driven by higher prices of fresh pepper, tomatoes, crayfish, beef, garri, yams and other staple foods.

The PUNCH earlier reported that members of the organised private sector welcomed the slight decline in the inflation rate for June 2026 but warned that inflation remained in double digits and prices were still too high for businesses and consumers.

In his remarks for the April-June edition of MAN News obtained by this publication, the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, observed that the renewed increase in inflation during the quarter highlighted the fragility of Nigeria’s economic recovery as higher food prices, energy costs, transportation expenses and exchange rate pressures continued to raise production costs and weaken consumers’ purchasing power.

“MAN has consistently maintained that addressing inflation requires coordinated structural reforms that improve productivity, strengthen infrastructure, enhance security in agricultural and industrial communities, and stabilise the foreign exchange market,” Ajayi-Kadir stated.

Meanwhile, Ajayi-Kadir noted that the association remained committed to pursuing policies that would enhance industrial competitiveness despite economic headwinds in the first half of the year.

He said, “As we enter the second half of the year, our priorities remain firmly focused on advancing policies that improve competitiveness, encourage investment, expand local production, deepen exports, and position Nigeria as Africa’s industrial hub and the preferred manufacturing destination.”

He noted that the second quarter witnessed increased business and government activities after a slow start to the year but was affected by insecurity across parts of the country and the impact of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran in the Middle East.

Ajayi-Kadir reported that the association advocated the recapitalisation of the Bank of Industry, the creation of additional concessionary lending windows for manufacturers, lower import costs for industrial machinery and essential raw materials, and long-term development finance to support investment and expansion.

He expressed concern over the continued decline in credit to manufacturers, warning that industrialisation would remain constrained if productive enterprises could not access affordable financing.

He also reaffirmed MAN’s support for tax reforms that modernise tax administration and improve revenue generation but opposed the retroactive application of the 2025 Nigeria Tax Laws, noting, “Our position remains unchanged. We support reforms that modernise tax administration, improve revenue mobilisation, and strengthen fiscal sustainability. At the same time, successful reform depends on transparent implementation, predictable policies, and continuous stakeholder engagement.”

The MAN DG further urged the Federal Government to address the unresolved foreign exchange forward obligations owed to some manufacturers, describing the issue as a breach of valid contracts that had continued to weaken the financial position of affected companies.

He said the association also intensified advocacy for greater local raw material utilisation through collaboration with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council and the Nigeria Customs Service to deepen backward integration and reduce dependence on imported industrial inputs.

Ajayi-Kadir added that MAN remained optimistic that continued collaboration between the government and the private sector would strengthen ongoing economic reforms and support Nigeria’s industrial transformation.

Wema Bank has reported measurable growth over the last decade, growing its assets 13-fold over the period.

According to The PUNCH’s findings, the size of the lender’s assets have jumped 1,185 per cent to N5.23tn between the first quarter (Q1) of 2016 and the corresponding period of 2026.

The monetary value of Wema Bank’s asset size rose from N407bn in 2016 to N5.23tn in 2023.

The sharp increase in asset size over the 10-year period means Wema Bank now manages more than 13 times the resources it held a decade ago, significantly strengthening its financial capacity.

The expansion has important implications for the lender’s operations and the broader economy.

A larger asset base gives Wema Bank greater capacity to extend credit to households and businesses, finance infrastructure and corporate projects, absorb economic shocks, and comply with tighter regulatory capital requirements. It also enhances the bank’s competitiveness against larger rivals, improves its ability to attract investors, and provides a stronger platform for future expansion.

Analysts say the sustained growth underscores the success of the bank’s digital-first strategy, anchored by its ALAT platform, as well as its “focus on retail banking, small and medium-sized enterprises, and prudent balance sheet management,” said a Lagos-based financial expert, Kabby Umunna.

The Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO”) has announced full plans for its 16th Annual Autism Conference scheduled to hold on Monday, July 27th and Tuesday, July 28th, at the Muson Centre, Lagos. Themed “Acceptance in Action: From Family to Classroom to Workplace to Public Spaces,” the Conference, which will be followed by one-on-one family consultations by specialists, continues the Group’s commitment to advocating for Autism through access to developmental support, professional guidance, and learning opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.

Over the years, the GTCO Autism Programme has become a leading platform for Autism advocacy and inclusion across West Africa, bringing together healthcare professionals, therapists, educators, policymakers, caregivers, and families to foster greater understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Through sustained engagement and collaboration, the programme has helped advance conversations around acceptance, accessibility, and the support systems required to improve outcomes for individuals on the spectrum.

This year’s theme, “Acceptance in Action,” reflects the need to move beyond awareness towards creating environments where individuals on the Autism spectrum are supported, and empowered at home, in school, in workplace, and public spaces. The 2026 programme will feature expert-led discussions, workshops, and free consultation sessions delivered by leading local and international specialists in developmental and behavioural sciences, covering key areas such as early intervention, behavioural therapy, communication strategies, inclusive education, and caregiver support.

In Nigeria, the conference will hold on Monday, July 27th and Tuesday, July 28th at the Muson Centre, Lagos, followed by free one-on-one family consultations with medical and developmental specialists from July 29th to August 1st at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja. In Ghana, the programme will open with a workshop on August 4th at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, followed by free consultations at the same venue from August 5th to 8th.

Commenting on the 2026 GTCO Autism Programme, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Mr Segun Agbaje, said: “Sixteen years ago, we set out to help families navigate a journey that too often felt isolating. Today, this programme stands as proof of what sustained commitment can achieve. This year’s theme, ‘Acceptance in Action,’ challenges all of us to move past good intentions and start making inclusion visible, in the way we design our schools, structure our workplaces, and welcome one another in public spaces.”

He added: “No single institution can build an inclusive society alone. It takes families willing to advocate, educators willing to adapt, employers willing to open doors, and policymakers willing to act. Our role is to keep bringing the right expertise and resources to the table, so that every individual on the autism spectrum has a genuine chance to participate fully and confidently in everyday life.”