NIGERIA depends a lot on imported matches for its domestic lighting needs. The mass importation of safety matches into the country is due to the inclination of the economy on buying and selling, de-emphasizing production culture. Matches can be easily manufactured in any part of the country applying local technology. All facilities and resources necessary for the production of matches are readily available in the country. The writer therefore advises indigenous entrepreneurs to see this as an opportunity to create employment for the youths, wealth for the nation by exporting the product, and maximize returns on their investments.

The Project
Manufacturing safety matches in Nigeria is a very feasible project. It can be operated on a small, medium or large scale depending on the financial strength of the promoters. The investor can engage in either the wax matches production project or the timber matches and timber boxes production project. The raw materials needed for the project are readily and locally available. They are majorly wood materials and chemicals. These raw materials include splint paper, paraffin wax (grade 11), cardboard boxes, chemicals, packaging materials, et cetera. The project must be sited in a large expanse of land of about an acre to comfortably accommodate the administrative block, storage and production  facilities and machines.

Machinery
The machines and equipment required for this project can be locally fabricated at affordable  costs. Foreign machines can also be obtained from China, India, etc. at higher prices. The machines include: Paper slitting rewinder machine, wire drawing machine, bobbins (MS Spools), frame with laths, trolleys, head composition grinding machine, homogenizer, drier, master cardboard slitting machine, 7ups group cutting machine, friction composition ball mill, cardboard size painting machine, outer box skillets cutting machine, cardboard outer box making machine, inner box skillets cutting machine, cardboard inner box making machine, glue melting bath.

Production Process 
The production process is simple. It involves making the outer board paper, followed by  making the inner board and the splint paper rolls. Other detailed processes for the production of the final product ( safety matches) will be outlined in a feasibility study for interested investors.

Marketing
Matches are daily essentials at homes, restaurants, smoking joints, industries, churches, etc. The demand for matches is ever increasing since both  the poor and the rich , urban and rural dwellers need matches. The great demand for home and industrial use of matches in Nigeria is met by importation as there are no well known local manufacturers. Production of matches is a virgin land demanding to be explored by local manufacturers. Investors in this business will not have Nigeria as the only target market but also other African countries where demand for matches is met by importation.

Profitability
The project is capable of generating a turnover of N15 million per annum at the outset, employing  200 members of staff. The plant will work on two shifts per day with a production capacity of 1,500 bundles (10,000 gross boxes) per shift. Each shift works for 8 hours per day. The project  will be capable of yielding a 50 per cent return on investment with a pay back period of less than 4 years. The profitability indices of this project is quite encouraging indicating its technical viability and commercial feasibility.

Project Implementation
The first stage of implementation is undergoing a field study and preparing a detailed and bankable feasibility report that will help to make good business decisions. Registration with appropriate government agencies, site/ machinery/ equipment acquisition, staff recruitment and training and other logistics must be put in place before project take-off.
Interested investors can contact the writer for direction.