BAT Nigeria has been recognised as a committed partner to Nigeria’s manufacturing agenda, at the 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Presidential Luncheon of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

The Company received the Diamond Sponsor Appreciation Award in acknowledgment of its long-standing support and strategic partnership with MAN, in advancing industrial growth and promoting local content.

The three-day event, themed “Nigeria First: Prioritising Patronage of Made in Nigeria,” brought together captains of industry, government officials, and business leaders to discuss the future of manufacturing and the importance of local production in driving sustainable growth.

The Presidential Luncheon, which was part of the event, was graced by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the Special Guest of Honour.

The keynote address was delivered by one of Africa’s leading industrialists, Aliko Dangote, GCON.

Receiving the award on behalf of BAT Nigeria, the Corporate and External Affairs Director and Chairman of the MAN Export Promotion Group (MANEG), Mrs. Odiri Erewa-Meggison, reaffirmed the Company’s commitment to contributing to the strengthening of Nigeria’s non-oil export capacity and manufacturing competitiveness.

“This recognition is a demonstration of our belief in the potential of the Nigerian manufacturing sector. At BAT Nigeria, we continue to prioritise local content and export expansion because we believe that sustainable wealth creation begins with building strong, competitive, and proudly Nigerian manufacturing enterprises,” she said.

She said BAT Nigeria’s contribution to the national economy reflects this commitment.

She said the company has generated over $300 million in export sales between 2022 and 2024 through exports to 13 West and Central African countries and the United States.

According to her, its Ibadan factory remains a leading manufacturer in West Africa, supporting Nigeria’s drive for industrialisation and foreign exchange diversification.

Beyond its fiscal impact, BAT Nigeria supports an estimated 350,000 direct and indirect jobs across its value chain, from suppliers to logistics and distribution partners, demonstrating its pivotal role in sustaining livelihoods and strengthening Nigeria’s manufacturing base.

As Nigeria continues to push for deeper industrialisation and greater participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), BAT Nigeria’s local value creation model stands as an example of how multinational corporations can drive inclusive growth while promoting the “Made in Nigeria” agenda.