The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Government to prioritise indigenous manufacturers in the supply of materials for the Lagos airport perimeter fencing project, cautioning against the importation of Clear Vu fencing and similar products from foreign markets.
The project, which involves perimeter fencing and advanced security surveillance for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, is part of the Federal Government’s renewed infrastructure push.
While MAN commended the government for its commitment to upgrading national infrastructure, the association emphasised that the procurement must align with President Bola Tinubu’s Nigeria First Policy and local content laws.
In a statement, MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, noted that the project should strictly adhere to Executive Orders 003 and 005, which mandate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise local contractors and manufacturers in government procurement.
Ajayi-Kadir stressed:
“It has become a matter of national interest for the contractor handling this project to ensure strict compliance with government directives.
Indigenous manufacturers have the capacity, expertise, and technology to produce fencing materials that meet international standards.
Importing Clear Vu fencing from abroad would undermine national policy and deny Nigeria critical economic benefits.”
According to MAN, prioritising local sourcing would yield multiple benefits, including:
Job creation for Nigerian workers
Foreign exchange savings by reducing reliance on imports
Improved tax revenues from locally engaged businesses
Strengthening of Nigeria’s industrial base through sustained patronage
The association recalled past disappointments where local manufacturers were excluded from key infrastructure projects, particularly the importation of fencing materials from South Africa despite Nigerian firms being able to deliver equivalent quality.
MAN described these exclusions as a contradiction of the government’s local content policy and a discouraging signal to domestic investors.
Ajayi-Kadir added that the Lagos airport fencing project is an opportunity for the Federal Government to demonstrate commitment to its policy of promoting local content, noting that implementation, rather than policy declarations, will determine the administration’s credibility.
Industry watchers agree with MAN, highlighting that fencing and construction material production is a vital part of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
Experts believe that supporting local producers through large-scale projects like this will not only sustain jobs but also stimulate value chain development across industries such as steel, construction, and logistics.
According to financial analysts, excluding local manufacturers in favour of imports could worsen Nigeria’s foreign exchange crisis, given the rising demand for dollars.
By contrast, sourcing materials locally would ease forex pressure while boosting investor confidence in government-backed industrialisation.
MAN urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene to ensure that contractors adhere to Nigeria’s procurement laws and policies.
The association reaffirmed its willingness to work closely with the Ministry of Aviation, the Bureau of Public Procurement, and other stakeholders to guarantee that the project supports inclusive economic growth.
“The Lagos Airport fencing project presents a clear chance to show that the Nigeria First Policy is not just aspirational but actionable,” the statement concluded.
With President Tinubu’s administration under pressure to deliver on its economic reforms, stakeholders say projects like the Lagos airport perimeter fence could serve as a litmus test for the government’s seriousness about industrialisation.
If MAN’s call is heeded, the fencing project could become a model for future infrastructure procurement, reinforcing the role of Nigerian manufacturers in national development.