As firm returns with brand restructuring
To address the pressing challenges facing the manufacturing sector, an industrialist, Deji Afolabi, has urged the Federal Government to establish a dedicated agency that would collaborate closely with industry stakeholders.

In a chat with reporters, he emphasised that such an institution would play a vital role in boosting production capacity, strengthening local industries and driving sustainable economic growth.

To strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, Afolabi, who is the Managing Director of Newest Commercial Industries Limited, urged the Federal Government to adopt South Africa’s model.

He explained that in South Africa, a dedicated agency organises visitation teams to engage directly with manufacturers, identify their challenges, gather feedback and relay solutions to the ministry.

According to him, the arrangement ensures that even if not all problems are solved, a significant portion, up to 80 per cent, are addressed, thereby boosting industrial growth.

Afolabi emphasised that Nigeria should replicate this approach by establishing a similar body within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He noted that entrepreneurs cannot succeed in isolation; they must employ workers, which reduces unemployment.

However, when businesses fail, job creation suffers, worsening the employment crisis.

He called on the government to simplify manufacturers’ access to funding through the Bank of Industry (BoI) by removing bureaucratic bottlenecks.

In addition, he highlighted the urgent need to reassess the nation’s power supply strategy, stressing that uninterrupted electricity is critical for productivity and competitiveness.

Afolabi also urged the government to create a more conducive environment for Nigerian manufacturers to thrive and compete globally.

On maintaining standards in the paint industry, he urged the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) to regulate producers and curb the spread of substandard products.

Speaking on the return of Newest Commercial Industries Limited into the manufacturing sector, Afolabi assured the brand is back to the market with innovation, quality and customer value.

He declared that the company’s products are positioned to deliver exceptional value once they fully penetrate the market.

According to him, the company, producers of Newest Colour Paint, Newness Detergents, and Newskin Medicated and Antiseptic Soaps, has undergone strategic restructuring designed to strengthen operations, enhance product standards, and improve overall service delivery.

Afolabi noted that the company’s 15-year journey in the sector has been defined by resilience, innovation, and a commitment to excellence.

“Driven by quality and powered by innovation, we manufacture products that enhance everyday living, from paints and coatings to personal care and home essentials,” he stated.

He noted that over the years, the company has cultivated strong professional relationships with property managers, retailers, architects, builders, developers, and interior designers, partnerships that have reinforced its credibility and market relevance.

Addressing questions about the company’s temporary absence from the market, the the managing director described it as a deliberate move to restrategise and return stronger.
“We went back to the drawing board to reposition and improve our internal processes. Now, we are back, bigger, stronger, and more formidable, ready to deliver fully on our promises,” he affirmed.

With operations fully reopened, the company is inviting distributors from across the country and beyond to collaborate in expanding its distribution network and ensuring its products reach end users efficiently.

Afolabi also reiterated that the organisation is not solely profit-driven but remains committed to social responsibility, sustainable practices, and meaningful contributions to national development.

He assured stakeholders that strict manufacturing standards are upheld to guarantee durability, safety, and reliability, while continuous innovation remains central to the company’s growth strategy.

With renewed energy, strengthened systems, and a clear vision, Newest Commercial Industries Limited appears poised to make a significant impact in Nigeria’s paints and home-care market, delivering on its promise of high-quality products and real value for consumers.