The Toiletries and Cosmetics (T&C) Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (M.A.N) has asked the Federal Government to pay more attention to tackling challenges confronting the growth of the cosmetics industry in the country.
Chairman of the T&C Group, Uche Okafor, made the call recently in Lagos at a forum, organised for CEOs, with the theme: “Portraits of Success – Unlocking the Future of Toiletries and cosmetics manufacturing Sustainability in Nigeria.”
He said the cosmetics industry in Nigeria is huge and has been doing very well even as its products are being well accepted both within and outside the country.
In his words: “I want government to pay more attention to all issues we’ve been talking about – basic infrastructure to enhance productivity, policies, regulation, etc…
“There are problem areas that government policies can help resolve. We have the expertise, wherewithal and people willing to invest in these areas but basic infrastructure is an obstacle.
“Presently, the acceptance of our locally made cosmetics products has been fantastic and we want to take it to the next level”
On what the manufacturers are collectively doing to mitigate some of the challenges in the sector, Okafor noted that bringing together all the CEOs in the sector at the forum was part of effort to make them commit to tackling some of the identified challenges.
“When we realize that together we can achieve much more it would help us…
We will come together, form an alliance, and form a block that would go to government and ask for the things that we ought to get ordinarily that is not reaching us. This can be achieved by coming together”
Earlier in his keynote address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Sector Matters, Francis Anatogu, urged the cosmetics manufacturers to pool resources and come together to solve some of their problems as government cannot do it alone.
“I know it doesn’t sound easy but government cannot do everything. Isn’t it possible for you to come together to solve some problems in the sector?’ Anatogu queried the CEOs.
He promised to liaise with the manufacturers and government to help resolve some of the issues raised at the forum.
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