At the 2025 Production and Manufacturing Business Summit, industry leaders emphasized that the true engine of business growth is not machinery, but people. Tara Fela-Durotoye, founder of House of Tara, called on Nigerian manufacturing firms to place continuous employee training at the heart of their strategy.
“Every business must become a school,” she declared. “Technology and machines may drive efficiency, but it is people who deliver innovation, sustainability, and long-term impact.”
Durotoye urged companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to develop structured training programmes that transform workplaces into talent academies. She stressed that training should never be seen as an occasional privilege but as a necessity for competitiveness. “The more your people train, the better your business becomes,” she said.
Execution Over Excuses
Summit host and business coach Nancy Nnadi, popularly known as The Money Boss, challenged entrepreneurs to abandon the habit of blaming government for every setback. She argued that the sector holds enormous opportunities across farming, raw material supply, logistics, packaging, and compliance—but only execution unlocks value.
“Before you point fingers, ask yourself what you’re doing with what’s in your control,” Nnadi said. “Ideas are worthless without implementation. Success comes from acting, not just planning.”
She called for a shift from Nigeria’s consumption-driven mindset to one built on innovation, production, and self-reliance, noting that this is the pathway to wealth creation and reduced dependence on imports.
Tapping Nigeria’s Market Potential
Clementina Uche Oyekwelu, CEO of Stuch Beddings and Pyjamas, described Nigeria’s 200 million-plus population as a goldmine for business growth. “Serving even half a percent of the Nigerian market can put your brand on the map,” she observed.
Oyekwelu shared her journey of starting with just ₦10,000 during her NYSC year, making and selling four bedsheets to neighbours. Today, her company employs more than 60 people. “The lesson is simple: start small, but think big. Waiting for huge capital may stop you from ever beginning.”
She also urged entrepreneurs to break free from cultural fears and dependencies that limit creativity across Africa.
Building Businesses That Outlive Founders
Toyin Onigbanjo, founder of August Secrets Limited, highlighted talent management as a cornerstone of enterprise success. For her, great businesses are not built on competence alone, but on a blend of skill, integrity, and values.
She argued that leaders must invest in mentorship, continuous training, and a culture of loyalty if they want to build companies that last beyond them. Collaboration, she added, should be seen as a strength, not a weakness: “True partnerships thrive when both sides bring value to the table—it’s never about begging, it’s about building win-win relationships.”
A Call to Action
Collectively, the speakers painted a clear picture: Nigeria’s manufacturing future lies not in blaming government, but in cultivating people, embracing innovation, and pursuing execution with speed and discipline. To thrive, businesses must look beyond profit and instead build legacies that nurture talent, empower communities, and drive sustainable economic growth.
