Freetown, 6th October 2026- Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Sierra Leonean statesman, Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, is set to take centre stage at the 54th Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), where he will deliver the prestigious 6th Adeola Odutola Lecture in Lagos on October 6, 2026.
Dr. Yumkella’s selection as keynote speaker places him among an elite group of African leaders, policymakers and business executives who have addressed one of the continent’s most respected platforms for discussions on industrial development, enterprise and economic transformation.
The annual lecture, named after renowned Nigerian industrialist Adeola Odutola, has over the years attracted prominent speakers, including former South African President Thabo Mbeki, former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, African Finance Corporation President and CEO Samaila Zubairu, and former Nigerian Finance and Industry Minister Olusegun Aganga.
Last year’s lecture was delivered by Africa’s richest businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Group, further underscoring the significance of the platform within Africa’s industrial and economic landscape.
Organisers say Dr. Yumkella’s address will bring a regional perspective to ongoing discussions about industrialisation, manufacturing growth and economic integration across West Africa. His participation is expected to highlight the interconnected nature of Nigeria’s industrial ambitions and the broader development aspirations of neighbouring countries, including Sierra Leone.
The event will also serve as an opportunity to promote the forthcoming West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS 2026), scheduled to take place at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi from November 16 to 18, 2026.
With manufacturing and regional trade increasingly viewed as critical drivers of economic growth, Dr. Yumkella’s lecture is expected to add momentum to conversations on strengthening industrial cooperation and investment across the West African sub-region.
