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The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has thrown its full weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s newly introduced “Nigeria First Policy,” describing it as a landmark initiative that could fast-track the country’s industrial transformation and economic advancement.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, praised the directive, particularly President Tinubu’s instruction to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to adjust its rules to favour domestically produced goods and services during government transactions.
Halilu noted that this move, which places a premium on sourcing from local suppliers, is expected to substantially boost demand for Nigerian-made products across multiple sectors.
“Since the government is the largest consumer in the economy, this step will significantly increase uptake of locally produced goods,” he stated, lauding the policy as “bold, strategic, and timely.”
He emphasized NASENI’s continued dedication to local innovation, citing several agency-led initiatives—such as the production of made-in-Nigeria vehicles, energy solutions, smart agricultural equipment, and electronic gadgets—as tangible proof of the growing capability within the domestic manufacturing space.
Halilu also spotlighted the agency’s ongoing nationwide “Made-in-Nigeria Strategic Focus Group” sessions aimed at strengthening public trust in homegrown products. These forums, he said, unite key players including manufacturers, researchers, regulators, and civil society groups to collectively address obstacles and propose actionable solutions for boosting local consumption.
“We are committed to leading the implementation of the President’s industrial vision,” Halilu declared. “But this must go hand-in-hand with improved quality. Local producers must rise to the occasion by ensuring their products meet high standards and can rival foreign imports.”
NASENI has been actively engaging stakeholders in several states, including Lagos, Anambra, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Delta, and Ogun, as part of its broader mission to drive scientific innovation and support local manufacturing.
The “Nigeria First Policy” seeks to overhaul public procurement processes to favour local content while establishing a comprehensive national database of Nigerian producers and service providers.
Concluding his remarks, Halilu expressed confidence in the capacity of Nigeria’s industrial sector: “Our local manufacturers have what it takes. With the right policies and consistent backing, Nigeria can achieve true, homegrown industrialisation.”