Nigeria’s federal government has launched a renewed push to strengthen local industries through its ‘Nigeria First’ policy, which focuses on simplifying procurement processes and prioritizing local manufacturers in government patronage. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment said the policy is part of broader reforms to make doing business in Nigeria easier and more efficient.
She explained that under the new approach, government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) are expected to exhaust all local options before considering foreign alternatives for goods or services. The move is intended to boost local production, create jobs, and preserve the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Highlighting the policy’s broader goals, the minister said the government is tackling regulatory and bureaucratic barriers that slow business growth. Tools like the National Single Window Project, Export Expansion Grant, and the Single Digit Credit scheme are already being deployed to ease challenges for manufacturers and exporters.
Next month’s domestic investors’ summit will focus on supporting middle-scale manufacturers and industrialists, who she described as critical players in driving Nigeria’s expansion across the African continent through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
She emphasised that patronising Nigerian goods must go beyond slogans and become a deliberate strategy to strengthen the economy. According to her, while Nigeria operates under global trade rules that discourage discrimination, the country must still be intentional about backing its industries.
The minister pointed out that despite an existing executive bill on local content, MDAs sometimes neglect to apply it. She said Executive Order 001 is already tracking compliance across all MDAs, including agencies within her ministry, and that enforcement will be strengthened through performance metrics reviewed quarterly by the Central Coordinating Delivery Unit.
She called on Nigerians, both in the public and private sectors, to prioritize buying in every activity—business or personal. She also addressed skepticism around government procurement, noting that some businesses hesitate to participate in tenders due to perceptions of bias. She urged companies to engage the process, assuring that the government wants a transparent and inclusive system.
Responding to concerns about the high cost of local goods compared to imports, she warned that favouring cheaper foreign products could turn Nigeria into a dumping ground, as many countries now struggle to access U.S. and European markets. Instead, she advocated for a more committed local consumption culture, even if it comes at a slightly higher cost, in order to protect Nigerian jobs and businesses.
The minister also revealed that official data will soon confirm growing demand for Nigerian products across Africa, underlining the need to expand continental access for local goods and boost foreign exchange earnings.
