The Federal Government has commenced moves to address fiscal and policy bottlenecks undermining Nigeria’s paper manufacturing industry.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, during a factory tour and stakeholders’ roundtable with major paper manufacturers, Nixin Paper Mill Nigeria and Speciality Group.
Enoh said the Federal Government is working on reforms under the new industrial policy framework to strengthen domestic manufacturing and conserve foreign exchange.
According to him, Nigeria loses an estimated N250 billion annually through the continued importation of textbooks that could be produced locally.
The Minister stressed that it was unacceptable for local manufacturers to struggle in the market despite having the capacity to produce educational material needed within the country.
He added that the ministry of industry, trade and investment would engage the ministry of finance and coordinating minister of the economy on the news to review the current duty structure affecting the paper and printing sector.
Enoh maintained that Nigeria must gradually create policies that would make local manufacturers more competitive and reduce overreliance on imported products.
He further noted that it was unreasonable for the country to continue importing the majority of its textbooks despite the existence of local paper mills capable of meeting demand.
Managing Director of Nixin Paper Mill Nigeria, Eric Wang, said the company, which began operations in 2023, has the capacity to meet Nigeria’s demand for printing, publishing and exercise paper.
He noted that the company sources cassava from farmers in Oyo State for the production of cassava starch used in papermaking, thereby supporting over 10,000 Nigerians across its value chain.
Also speaking, Group Chief Operations Officer of Speciality Group, Dattei Ateinu, said the company had been producing paper locally since 2004 but currently operates far below its installed capacity of 6,000 tonnes monthly due to import pressure, high production costs and limited access to credit.
