PromoPrint leans on AI, local cotton to defy manufacturing headwinds

L-r; Dr. Chukwuka Monye, founder, Ciuci Consulting; Mrs. Bola Adesola, chairman, Ecobank Nigeria; Mrs. Patricia Ojora, CEO PromoPrint Ventures Ltd and Mr Jonny Baxter, British deputy high commisioner at the 25th anniversary of PromoPrint Ventures held in Lagos recently.

PromoPrint Ventures Limited, one of Nigeria’s longest-standing indigenous printing firms, is leaning heavily on automation, AI-driven production, and locally sourced cotton to weather Nigeria’s harsh manufacturing climate, the company’s executives said as the indigenous printing firm marked its 25th anniversary in Lagos.

They argued that the strategy, has helped the business maintain quality, reduce dependence on imports, and stay competitive despite foreign-exchange volatility and rising production costs.

Patricia Ojora, founder and chief executive, at the 25th anniversary celebration in Lagos, told industry executives and partners that the company’s resilience has hinged on a deliberate strategy to rely less on imports and more on Nigerian ingenuity.

Ojora recalled the past 25 years of operation in Nigeria at the helm of PromoPrint. While not easy, she said, “We have been able to do it and we enjoy it. There’s nothing better than creation. To create something from nothing and do it so well, it is a passion for me. It is something that I really, value. I am a great supporter of Nigeria, so I believe that we should be able to do things well in Nigeria. We don’t need to always import, that is why we are doing this today, to be able to collaborate with people. Most of the people here are people we have collaborated with and have worked hard to build Nigeria back up”.

She recounts how she was able to change the narrative of many Nigerians that were printing outside of the country who are now printing with PromoPrint Ventures. “People used to print outside the country because they didn’t trust the quality that was here in Nigeria. We can produce good quality here within Nigeria,” Ojora said.

The company is a one-stop shop for all things printing with all operations happening in-house, from the expertise of crafting graphics and garment production to the t-shirts, roller banners, corporate gifts and more being rolled out on a daily basis. “What we are selling is peace of mind in a chaotic place,” Ojora added.

She said, with nearly three decades of successful operations and collaboration under her belt. Significantly, she makes sure the company remains primed for the future, using AI and the like to remain progressive in strategy and implementation.

Ojora proudly states, “Our automated printing carousel can churn out 10,000 tees a day if needed and our many corporate clients can attest to this.”

Industry leaders in attendance underscored the significance of the milestone. Atedo Peterside, founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, said the company’s longevity shows that indigenous manufacturers can thrive with innovation and discipline.

“There is something about longevity. If you have kept the business going for 10 years, I always tell people, it means you are doing something right. If you get it going for 20 years, you are doing something very correct. Patricia must be doing something phenomenally right, and it is my sincere hope that she keeps it going, keeps building, keeps innovating. Patricia can create almost everything. She has the courage, audacity and the commitment,” Peterside remarked.

Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Nigerian businesswoman and the first female chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria, contextualises the tenacity of Patricia’s efforts rather well. She reminds the room that “when you think of how many big multinationals who have so much that protects them, who have a lot of support systems internationally and locally, who gave up on Nigerian manufacturing, then you have to go back and think about those of us like Patricia.”

Even after 25 years, Nigeria remains in need of more Entrepreneurs, particularly those like Patricia, to boost the SME and manufacturing industry in the country despite the odds. “She didn’t give up. What is key is that, when we celebrate the likes of Patricia and her company, we know without a doubt that it’s not just because they want to have a celebration. It’s because, in truth, the Nigerian entrepreneur is a star, and even more so, the Nigerian manufacturer.

“So as we celebrate Mrs. Ojora and her PPV entire team, and all that has gone into 25 years of hard work, commitment, creativity, we also recognise the passion that does not allow you to give up on the vision, the commitment to not only creating jobs for other Nigerians but creating value within Nigeria. The commitment to innovating a solution for every challenge and every situation. Indeed, last Tuesday was a worthy celebration,” Awosika says in admiration.

Royal Ibeh is a senior journalist with years of experience reporting on Nigeria’s technology and health sectors. She currently covers the Technology and Health beats for BusinessDay newspaper, where she writes in-depth stories on digital innovation, telecom infrastructure, healthcare systems, and public health policies.

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