Lagos is steadily reinforcing its position as a manufacturing hub, not only attracting new investment but deepening the value of existing ones.
This direction was evident as the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, paid a strategic visit to the management of Twinings Ovaltine Nigeria Limited in Lagos. The engagement marked the commencement of plans to transition from import dependence to local manufacturing, with products previously sourced from China now set to be produced within Nigeria.
The move signals more than an operational shift. It reflects growing investor confidence in Lagos as a base for large-scale production and regional distribution. The company’s 35,000 square metre facility is positioned to serve a combined market of over 580 million people, reinforcing Lagos’ role as a gateway to both West Africa and the wider continent.
During the visit, Mrs Ambrose-Medebem reiterated the State’s commitment to building an environment where investments can thrive beyond entry. Lagos, she noted, is focused not only on attracting capital but on retaining and scaling it through deliberate policies, infrastructure improvements, and business-friendly reforms that support long-term growth.
.jpeg)
She commended the organisation for its confidence in Nigeria’s economy and its decision to localise production, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening industrial capacity, creating jobs, and reducing reliance on imports.
The Commissioner was received by senior leadership from Twinings’ international and regional operations, including Managing Director, International Markets, Paul Murphy; Global Supply Chain Director, Gaelle Hutt; Regional General Manager for Africa, Tony Murray; Technical Director, International Markets, Fernando Vinha; Head of Operations, Nigeria, Henry Ohikhuai; and Country General Manager, Nigeria, Yemi Udoye.
The engagement highlights a broader trend Lagos is actively encouraging. A shift from import-led consumption to local production, backed by scale, efficiency, and access to regional markets.
For investors, the message is clear. Lagos offers more than market access. It provides a platform to produce, expand, and serve a rapidly growing consumer base from within Africa.