The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has thrown its full weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s newly endorsed Nigeria First Policy, describing it as a bold step toward igniting an industrial revolution powered by locally made goods and technologies.
In a statement released on Sunday, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, praised the President’s directive to ban the importation of foreign goods that can be produced domestically. The directive, which mandates federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise Nigerian-made goods and services in procurement, marks a significant policy shift aimed at reviving Nigeria’s industrial capacity.
“This policy isn’t just about patriotism—it’s about pragmatism,” Halilu stated. “It will strengthen Nigeria’s economy from within by supporting our manufacturers, innovators, and entrepreneurs.”
Halilu explained that government procurement constitutes a major share of economic demand, and aligning that demand with local supply chains would fuel a sharp rise in made-in-Nigeria products. He expressed confidence that the policy would stimulate productivity across key sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, energy, and technology.
“With Mr. President’s directive to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to revise and enforce guidelines in favour of local suppliers, we anticipate a significant increase in patronage of Nigerian-made products,” Halilu noted.
He further pointed out that NASENI has for years championed local content development and already produces a wide range of indigenous solutions—including Nigerian-assembled electric vehicles, solar energy systems, smart irrigation equipment, and homegrown consumer electronics.
“These products are not just functional—they are globally competitive. We are proud to lead by example and prove that Nigeria can innovate and manufacture at scale,” Halilu said.
While applauding the policy shift, NASENI emphasized that local manufacturers must rise to the challenge by ensuring world-class quality and consistency in their outputs.
“This is not just a handout or protectionist move; it’s a call to excellence,” the agency’s Director of Information, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, added in the statement. “Local producers must seize this opportunity to raise their standards, reduce dependency on foreign inputs, and build strong, reliable supply networks.”
The agency also revealed ongoing collaborations with private sector players and research institutions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s manufacturing ecosystem and workforce development. This includes skill acquisition centres, product testing labs, and funding initiatives to scale up production capacity.
Experts say the Nigeria First policy, if strictly enforced, could become a game-changer for economic diversification. With Nigeria still heavily reliant on imports for everyday goods and industrial materials, redirecting demand toward local alternatives could reduce foreign exchange pressures, create thousands of jobs, and revitalize dormant industrial clusters across the country.
“The potential impact is massive,” said Dr. Yusuf Omotayo, an economist at the University of Lagos. “We’re talking about a multiplier effect that could lead to increased investments, innovation, and export potential—if properly executed.”
Manufacturers under the umbrella of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have expressed support for the policy, noting that it aligns with long-standing advocacy for import substitution and local capacity development.
“This is the kind of political will the sector has been waiting for,” said MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir. “We urge the federal government to monitor implementation closely and ensure MDAs comply strictly with the local procurement guidelines.”
NASENI says it is committed to supporting the full rollout of the Nigeria First policy and has already begun aligning its project pipelines and innovations with national industrial goals.
“We are not just passive beneficiaries of this policy. We are builders of the new Nigeria—one where our skills, talents, and technologies take centre stage,” Halilu declared.
As Nigeria inches toward greater economic sovereignty, the success of this bold industrialisation drive may well depend on the synergy between policy makers, industry players, and the Nigerian consumer, whose acceptance of local alternatives will be critical in shaping a new economic narrative.