IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION ON PRODUCTIVITY AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY IN SELECTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN NIGERIA

This study examined the impact of industrial automation on productivity and operational efficiency in selected manufacturing industries in Nigeria from a mechanical engineering perspective. The study was motivated by the persistent operational inefficiencies within Nigeria's manufacturing sector, including frequent machine breakdowns, prolonged downtime, low equipment utilization, inadequate maintenance practices, and limited adoption of advanced automation technologies. A descriptive and analytical engineering review design was adopted, utilizing secondary data from peer-reviewed literature, technical reports, and industrial case studies. The analysis employed productivity–performance mapping, automation-efficiency comparative analysis, and an Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)-based evaluation framework to assess the influence of industrial automation technologies, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Computer Numerical Control (CNC) systems, industrial robotics, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), on manufacturing performance. The findings revealed that industrial automation significantly improves manufacturing productivity by increasing machine utilization, reducing production cycle time, enhancing throughput, minimizing defects, and improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness through better equipment availability, performance efficiency, and product quality. The study further established that automation enhances operational efficiency through predictive maintenance, real-time process monitoring, reduced downtime, improved energy efficiency, and greater process stability. However, widespread adoption of industrial automation in Nigeria is constrained by high capital investment requirements, inadequate technical expertise, unreliable power supply, low Industry 4.0 readiness among small and medium-sized enterprises, and weak collaboration between industry and research institutions. The study concluded that industrial automation is a critical driver of sustainable manufacturing performance and industrial competitiveness in Nigeria. It recommended increased investment in automation technologies, government incentives to promote Industry 4.0 adoption, strengthened human capital development in automation engineering, wider implementation of predictive maintenance systems, and enhanced support for the digital transformation of manufacturing SMEs.