The Federal Government has disclosed that the manufacturing sector has demonstrated over the years that it is the backbone of the country’s employment sector, as it currently employs over seven million Nigerians.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, made the remark during the virtual cake cutting event to mark the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) 50 years celebration at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Adebayo noted that the role the sector plays in nation building cannot be over emphasised, as it has contributed over $40 billion to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the last 20 years in terms of total output growth.

Congratulating MAN on its anniversary, the minister explained that the productive sector of the Nigerian economy is the engine room of Nigeria’s GDP currently because of its significant contribution as the live wire of the economy.

“I bring greetings from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and I wholeheartedly congratulate MAN on its 50th anniversary. Nigerian manufacturing sector has come a long way since the establishment MAN.