I am surprised that not one state government in Nigeria has invested in a moi-moi pouch manufacturing facility using these leaves

Ayo Akinfe

[1] Nigerians erroneously believe that the main cause of all their problems is corruption. Well, I can tell them now, that all our problems as a nation stem from the fact that we are not productive enough

[2] Our productivity is so low due to a combination of intellectual laziness, sheer incompetence, vanity, a preference for ostentation, an over-dependence on the government and a general lack of initiative among the populace

[3] Here is a classic case of Nigeria sitting on a potential gold mine and nobody doing anything about it. Initiative is key to the development of a nation

[4] For centuries, we have made moi-moi in these leaves. They say these leaves provide a unique aroma you do not get when you use tin foil or other forms of packaging

[5] Now, some packaging companies have already made a move on the market with the introduction of moi-moi pouches. However, are these pouches ever going to become mass market products?

[6] If any company wants to corner the market, it needs to make its pouches out of these special leaves

[7] What I would like to see is one state governor take the initiative here. Launch a venture in which the state government owns a 25% stake with the rest of the company owned by the private sector

[8] Let us assume for instance that it is Governor Lucky Adetiwa of Ondo State who launches such a venture for instance. He should locate the plant at somewhere like Ore, maybe calling it the Nigerian Food Packaging Company and then get confectionery giants like maybe Unilever, Gino, Nestle, etc to own 75% of the company. His government should be content with a 25% stake

[9] Just imagine the number of jobs this venture will create. It will also spur the expansion of plantations to grow more of these leaves and ultimately the opening of plants to manufacture the equipment used in the factory

[10] You see, this kind of company would be a mega game changer, as it would turn Nigeria into the manufacturer of a globally acclaimed product that will generate billions in foreign exchange earnings. Sadly, the oil doom has blinded us to these kind of opportunities