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Local manufacturers poised to benefit from procurement reforms prioritizing made-in-Nigeria products.
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has thrown its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy”, hailing it as a transformative move to spur Nigeria’s industrialization, economic growth, and technological self-reliance.
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In a statement, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, praised the presidential directive that mandates the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to revise procurement guidelines in favor of locally produced goods and services.
Boost for Local Content, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
According to Mr. Halilu, this policy will empower Nigerian manufacturers, technology innovators, and entrepreneurs, ensuring that local talent receives tangible support through increased government patronage.
“With Mr. President’s directive, we anticipate a surge in demand for Nigerian-made products. Government is the largest buyer in the economy, so this will have far-reaching impact,” he said.
He described the initiative as both “forward-thinking” and “revolutionary”, aligning seamlessly with NASENI’s mission to champion indigenous innovation and science-based industrial solutions.
NASENI’s Commitment to Made-in-Nigeria Excellence
NASENI has been a strong advocate of local content through the development of high-quality, locally manufactured solutions, including:
- Nigerian-assembled vehicles
- Renewable energy systems
- Smart irrigation tools
- Electronic and digital devices
The agency has also organized Made-in-Nigeria Strategic Focus Group meetings across states like Katsina, Lagos, Anambra, Delta, Kano, Kaduna, and Ogun, engaging regulators, civil society, manufacturers, and innovators to promote public acceptance of Nigerian-made products and to identify key challenges in local manufacturing.
Call to Action: Quality Must Meet Demand
While affirming support for the President’s vision, Mr. Halilu also issued a challenge to local producers:
“Policy support is important, but it must be matched with uncompromised quality. We must deliver products that compete favorably with imports and meet the evolving needs of Nigerian consumers.”
He emphasized that quality assurance and adherence to global standards are essential for Nigerian products to gain long-term consumer trust and scale sustainably.
Policy Reform to Catalyze Industrial Revolution
President Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy” tasks the BPP with:
- Prioritizing local content in public procurement.
- Maintaining a register of qualified Nigerian manufacturers and service providers.
- Enforcing compliance to boost the country’s industrial and innovation capacity.
Mr. Halilu concluded with a confident declaration of NASENI’s readiness:
“We have seen the capacity and competence of our local manufacturers. They are ready. With the right support, Nigeria can achieve true industrialization powered by Nigerian solutions.”
