AFP’s youth integration drive offers fresh path for Nigeria’s furniture industry

By Onu Okorie

As Nigeria seeks to strengthen local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported products, the integration of young designers into established production processes is emerging as a pathway to building a more competitive furniture industry.
This was the message at the ongoing Design Week Lagos (DWL) Expo, where the founder of the annual event, Mrs Titi Ogufere, commended AFP, the furniture production subsidiary of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, for integrating young designers into its operations.
Ogufere, who spoke during a visit to the AFP pavilion at the exhibition, described the company’s approach as a sustainable investment in the future of the industry, noting that it provides young creative professionals with opportunities to develop their ideas and prepare for the demands of commercial production.
She said the initiative aligns with Design Week Lagos’ commitment to promoting young designers and thinkers while strengthening the profile of Nigerian-made products.
According to her, AFP’s consistent participation in the exhibition over the years reflects its commitment to the development of Nigeria’s design and manufacturing ecosystem.
“AFP has been with us in the Made by Design show for eight years now. Since we started, they’ve been consistent. They’ve missed only, I think, one or two,” she said.
Ogufere explained that the Made by Design showcase brings together some of the country’s leading brands, providing a platform for businesses to demonstrate their craftsmanship and engage with emerging creative talent.
“I really like the fact that they have integrated young designers into what they are doing because at Design Week Lagos, we are really for promoting young designers and young thinkers,” she said.
She expressed hope that AFP would continue its partnership with the exhibition as stakeholders work towards building a stronger Made-in-Nigeria brand.
Responding, AFP General Manager, Oliver Cohnen, thanked Ogufere for the recognition and commended her for establishing a platform that showcases Nigerian furniture brands and their capacity to compete with international offerings.
“At AFP, we are doing what we know best and with the right hands we have engaged, we will do better,” Cohnen said.
Beyond showcasing finished products, discussions at the exhibition highlighted the importance of technical expertise, workforce development and efficient production systems in building a sustainable furniture manufacturing business.
Speaking during a panel session featuring five industry professionals, Cohnen drew on his 20 years of experience in the sector to advise aspiring manufacturers to understand their markets before committing resources to expensive machinery.
He explained that successful manufacturing depends on more than equipment, stressing the need for appropriate production capacity, an efficient factory layout, reliable suppliers and effective quality-control systems.
He also emphasised the importance of training workers before expanding operations, arguing that skilled personnel remain central to productivity and product quality.
“For me, it is the people who make the difference, not the machines,” he said.
His comments underscored a key challenge facing manufacturers seeking to scale their businesses: the need to build the human capacity required to sustain production growth without compromising standards.
Also speaking during the session, Jonathan Agwunobi, co-founder of TRT Arredo Ltd, highlighted process standardisation as a critical factor in improving consistency and efficiency in furniture production.
Agwunobi said his company had improved its operations by establishing clear procedures, including a dedicated design department, while concentrating on areas where it could develop specialised expertise.
He explained that being selective about the projects the company undertakes, rather than pursuing every commercial opportunity, had helped improve its output and enabled it to learn from customer feedback.
The company also drew lessons from a visit to a manufacturing firm in Italy, adapting elements of the firm’s approach to suit its own operations.
According to Agwunobi, standardised processes enable manufacturers to maintain consistent quality as their businesses expand.
The discussions reflected the broader need for Nigerian furniture manufacturers to combine creativity with disciplined production systems, particularly as they seek to compete with imported alternatives.
Visitors to the AFP pavilion also highlighted the economic implications of strengthening domestic furniture production, pointing to its potential to support employment, develop local skills and retain more value within the Nigerian economy.
An architect, Ina, who has worked with AFP on several projects, praised the company’s furniture, cabinetry and doors, citing their finishing, attention to detail and durability.
He said his experience with the company had involved both submitting his own designs for production and adapting projects to AFP’s existing product range.
“I’ve had no complaints,” he said.
On the local content of the company’s manufacturing operations, Ina observed that much of the woodworking, assembly and other production activities take place in Nigeria.
Although some components, including hinges, locking systems and certain upholstery fabrics, are imported, he said the company’s local operations, including timber processing and seasoning, demonstrate the value that can be added within the country.
He noted that expanding domestic manufacturing capacity could further reduce reliance on imported finished furniture, although the availability of locally manufactured components remains an area for improvement.
Similarly, Mena Glory, a content creator and media professional who owns Silver Pinnacle Heritage, described the products on display as impressive and of good quality.
“The furniture, they are quality. And paying for quality will not be a problem,” he said.
The visitors’ remarks highlighted the importance of delivering durable, well-finished products in building consumer confidence in locally manufactured furniture.
For manufacturers, the challenge is to combine product quality with the development of local talent, efficient production and a stronger domestic supply chain.
At the exhibition, AFP also presented new products, including the Vienna centre table, made from solid timber and veneered medium-density fibreboard (MDF), and the Valerie Walsh shelf, made from lacquered MDF panels.
The display provided an opportunity for the company to engage with designers, architects and other industry professionals while showcasing its manufacturing capabilities.
As Design Week Lagos continues to bring together players across the creative and manufacturing sectors, AFP’s participation highlights the potential for collaboration between established manufacturers and emerging designers to support the next phase of Nigeria’s furniture industry.
The broader task, industry discussions suggest, is to ensure that local creativity is matched by the technical skills, production systems and supply-chain capacity needed to turn design ideas into quality products that can compete in the domestic and international markets.