Demi Semande’s Call for a Manufacturing Renaissance in Nigeria
Demi Semande, the Chief Executive Officer of Majeurs Holdings, has issued a compelling call to action for Nigeria to embrace the transformative potential of the manufacturing industry. Her debut book, "In her hand: Shaping the future of manufacturing in Africa," serves as a clarion call, urging both the government and private sectors to recognize manufacturing as a crucial driver of economic growth, job creation, and national prosperity. Semande’s central argument revolves around the unsustainable nature of Nigeria’s dependence on oil revenue and the urgent need to diversify the economy. She posits that manufacturing holds the key to unlocking Nigeria’s true economic potential and securing a prosperous future for its burgeoning youth population.
Semande contends that while oil has played a significant role in Nigeria’s economic history, its benefits have not been evenly distributed, and the country cannot afford to rely solely on this finite resource. She advocates for a paradigm shift towards a production-based economy, where Nigeria leverages its abundant natural resources and human capital to create value-added products. This transition, she argues, will not only generate much-needed revenue but also empower Nigerian youths and equip them to contribute meaningfully to nation-building. Manufacturing, she believes, offers a sustainable path to economic diversification, providing multiple income streams and reducing the nation’s vulnerability to fluctuations in global oil prices.
Semande’s call for a manufacturing revolution stems from her own entrepreneurial journey. Over the past 14 years, she has witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities within the manufacturing sector. This experience has solidified her conviction that manufacturing is the key to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential and transforming the lives of its citizens. Through her book, she aims to spark a national conversation about the importance of manufacturing and the urgent need for collective action. She envisions a Nigeria that is not merely a consumer of imported goods but a producer of high-quality products that compete on the global stage.
"In her hand" is more than just a business manifesto; it’s a personal narrative interwoven with practical insights and a passionate plea for change. Semande shares her entrepreneurial journey, detailing the obstacles she faced, the triumphs she celebrated, and the lessons she learned along the way. She offers a roadmap for the future of manufacturing in Africa, emphasizing the need for innovation, government support, and private sector engagement. She stresses the importance of empowering young people and equipping them with the skills and resources needed to thrive in the manufacturing industry. Her vision is of a Nigeria where manufacturing is not just a sector but a catalyst for national transformation.
Semande’s message is clear: Nigeria must move beyond rhetoric and embrace concrete action to revitalize its manufacturing sector. She challenges the government to create policies that support and incentivize manufacturing businesses, fostering an environment conducive to growth and innovation. She calls on the private sector to invest in manufacturing, recognizing its potential for long-term profitability and social impact. And most importantly, she urges young Nigerians to see manufacturing as a viable and rewarding career path, a sector where they can contribute to their nation’s economic development and build prosperous futures for themselves.
Her ultimate goal is to see a Nigeria where manufacturing flourishes, where young people are actively engaged in creating value-added products, and where the nation’s economic future is secured through diversified income streams. "In her hand" is not just a book; it’s a call to action, a blueprint for a more prosperous and self-sufficient Nigeria. It is a testament to Semande’s belief in the transformative power of manufacturing and her unwavering commitment to seeing Nigeria realize its full economic potential. Her message resonates with urgency and hope, offering a compelling vision for a future where manufacturing plays a central role in shaping the destiny of Nigeria and the African continent.
