The Senate took a significant step on Thursday as the Local Automobile Industry Patronage Bill, 2025, progressed to its second reading.
Senator Patrick Ndubueze (APC-Imo), the bill’s sponsor, led the debate, emphasizing the bill’s aim to make it compulsory for government ministries, departments, and agencies to prioritise local manufacturers and indigenous companies when procuring goods and services.
He explained that the legislation intends to prevent the exclusion of locally made products from public procurement processes, thereby supporting domestic industries.
Ndubueze stressed that for any nation to achieve consistent economic growth, there must be policies that encourage local production.
This approach, he said, helps reduce imports and boosts exports, positively impacting the country’s trade balance.
Regrettably, he noted, Nigeria has historically neglected to institutionalize the preference for indigenous products and instead often favours foreign goods, despite no clear advantage in quality.
A significant portion of public and civil service expenditure, Ndubueze added, goes towards purchasing foreign automobiles, a trend the bill seeks to reverse.
He argued that stabilizing the Nigerian currency requires adopting sustainable economic practices, starting with mandating the purchase of made-in-Nigeria vehicles.
Echoing these views, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno highlighted that supporting Nigerian-made products would stimulate local industries, generate employment, and enhance the country’s GDP.
Monguno reminded the Senate that the Federal Executive Council recently passed a resolution directing government entities to patronize locally made goods.
He stated the bill’s purpose is to provide legal backing to that executive resolution, ensuring its effective implementation.