FG to launch national campaign to promote made-in-Nigeria goods
The Federal Government is preparing to initiate a nationwide initiative aimed at encouraging the consumption of Made-in-Nigeria products and services through the Nigeria First policy, a vital move towards revitalizing the manufacturing industry.President Bola Tinubu announced this development in Lagos during the fifth Adeola Odutola lecture hosted by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
The President was represented at this event by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh.
He explained that this campaign aims to direct national demand towards Nigerian-made products that meet international quality standards, while also tackling the nation’s persistent dependence on imports.
Tinubu mentioned that initial research suggests that such a unified campaign could enhance the manufacturing sector by as much as six percent and create over 500,000 jobs within the coming three years.
He assured the attendees that his administration would consistently focus on advancing Nigeria’s manufacturing sector through policies that support the production, consumption, and export of domestic goods.
Tinubu highlighted the essential role of homegrown production in achieving national prosperity, stating: “A country cannot achieve prosperity or dignity without producing what it can and exporting effectively what it excels in.”
He positioned the policy as a fundamental part of the national economic strategy: “The economics of resilience starts in the factory and flourishes in the marketplace, and we are dedicated to lowering structural costs, enabling our manufacturers to compete effectively both locally and internationally.”
The President also shared six major policy commitments under the “Nigeria First” initiative: reforms in federal procurement, enforcement of quality and standards, expansion in exports, improved access to financing, energy and logistics support, and the enhancement of skills development and input security.
He encouraged members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria to maintain high standards and transparency in production while partnering with government bodies to provide precise data on capacity and pricing to aid effective policy development.
The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who was represented by Mr. Mansur Ahmed, a former President of MAN, expressed that manufacturers have eight essential expectations from the Nigeria First policy.
Dangote contended that for the policy to be effective, it should function as a “durable, binding national strategy for industrial growth, resilient to political changes and market fluctuations.”
He underscored the need for the policy to be founded on both international best practices and the specific industrial realities of Nigeria.
Dangote’s expectations included making the policy a binding law with penalties for those who fail to comply, ensuring stability and consistency in the policy, and committing to the long-term.
Additional expectations involved establishing a national supplier registry, fostering consumer engagement and a cultural shift at the national level, incentivizing backward integration, and tackling crucial infrastructure and energy challenges.
Dangote also advocated for improved access to financing to foster local supplier development and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area alongside regional export opportunities to enhance local competitiveness.
He summed up the potential offered by the policy: “The Nigeria First Policy is a significant opportunity for sustainable industrialization.”
He noted that its success relies on various factors: “The effectiveness of the policy hinges on clear legislation, strict institutional enforcement, stable policy execution, and strong collaboration among government entities and industry players.”
Dangote stressed the importance of achieving measurable results: “To transform the economy, the Nigeria First Policy must transition from mere declarations to actionable, quantifiable results that emphasize local value creation and national prosperity.”
He finished with a note of urgency regarding global competition: “Every nation is striving to enhance the living standards of its citizens, and we must recognize that we are part of this race, which is highly competitive.”
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