An indigenous Nigerian printing firm, PromoPrint Ventures Limited, has marked a significant milestone, celebrating 25 years of operations with a powerful testament to local resilience and innovation in the manufacturing sector.
A Celebration of Local Tenacity and Craft
The anniversary event, held at the Lagos Motor Boat Club, brought together a notable gathering of business leaders, clients, and stakeholders. The occasion served not just as a company celebration but as a tribute to the enduring spirit of Nigerian manufacturing. Guests were treated to an exhibition showcasing the company's journey, featuring its very first printed T-shirt from the year 2000 alongside contemporary designs on indigenous Funtua cotton fabric, which attendees proudly wore.
Reflecting on the challenging yet rewarding journey, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Patricia Ojora, spoke candidly about the complexities of running a manufacturing business in Nigeria. She attributed the company's longevity and success to unwavering passion and a deep-seated belief in local capability. "We've been able to do it and we enjoy it. There's nothing better than creation," Ojora stated. "I believe we should be able to do things well in Nigeria. We don't need to always import."
Changing Perceptions and Embracing Technology
Ojora highlighted a key achievement: successfully reversing long-held negative perceptions about the quality of locally produced promotional materials. PromoPrint now attracts clients who previously sourced all their printing services from abroad. "People used to print outside the country because they didn't trust the quality in Nigeria," she noted. "But we can produce good quality here."
Operating as a comprehensive, in-house production hub, the company manages everything from graphic design and garment manufacturing to corporate gifts and branded materials. Ojora emphasized that the core offering is reliability. "What we are selling is peace of mind in a chaotic place," she added.
Looking to the future, the company is making substantial investments in cutting-edge technology. This includes artificial intelligence, automation, and modern production tools. Ojora revealed the scale of their operations, stating, "Our automated printing carousel can churn out 10,000 tees a day if needed," a capacity that has secured the trust of numerous large corporate clients.
Accolades from Industry Titans
The event drew praise from several high-profile dignitaries who commended the company's exceptional journey. Renowned banker and founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside (CON), linked the firm's 25-year survival directly to exemplary leadership and business discipline. "If you've kept a business going for 10 years, it means you're doing something right. If you keep it going for 20, you're doing something very correct," he remarked. "Patricia must be doing something phenomenally right."
Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, the former Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria, placed PromoPrint's success in a broader context, underscoring its significance in a landscape where even multinational manufacturers have struggled or exited. "When you think of how many big multinationals...gave up on Nigerian manufacturing, then you have to think about those like Patricia," Awosika said. "She didn't give up." She hailed the Nigerian entrepreneur and manufacturer as the true star of the economy.
The evening concluded with heartfelt tributes to Ojora and her team for their creativity, tenacity, and unwavering commitment to building local value and capacity. The anniversary stood as a powerful celebration not merely of one company's success, but of the persistent drive that fuels Nigerian enterprise against all odds.
