The Federal Executive Council (FEC) Monday approved a new policy initiative that prioritises utilisation of Nigerian businesses, goods and services in all federal government-related economic activities.
Under the new policy, it said all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government must prioritise locally made goods and services in their procurement processes.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly FEC meeting, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said the move followed a proposal by the president to institutionalise the Renewed Hope Nigeria-First Policy.
The minister described the decision as “a major shift in government policy” and a bold step toward putting Nigeria “at the heart of all business activities” in the country.
“This new direction places Nigeria, not foreign companies or imports, at the center of our national development strategy. It seeks to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and unapologetically Nigerian,” he said.
The minister said the Nigeria-First Policy would be implemented through an Executive Order currently being prepared by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
He said the policy was designed to overhaul how the federal government spends public funds, especially in the areas of public procurement.
He said sourcing for foreign alternatives for products or services already available in Nigeria would now require written justification and a formal waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
Idris said the BPP had been directed to urgently revise and enforce procurement rules to prioritise local content, including the creation of a local content compliance framework.
He said the BPP would maintain a register of high-quality Nigerian manufacturers and service providers who are regularly engaged by the federal government.
The minister said all procurement officers posted to MDAs would be recalled and redeployed under the direct control of the BPP to ensure strict adherence to the new policy, without compromising efficiency.
He said MDAs must immediately audit all current procurement plans and submit revised versions in line with the new directives.
The minister said breaches of the new policy would attract serious sanctions, including cancellation of procurement processes and disciplinary action against responsible officers.
“Where viable local options do not exist, the policy requires that contracts must include provisions for technology transfer, local production, or skills development,” he said.
The minister cited the sugar industry, where despite local capacity, Nigeria continues to import vast quantities of sugar.
“The provision of quota allocations under the National Sugar Master Plan will now take into consideration each participant’s investment in backward integration and local production capacity,” he said.
Idris said the ultimate goal of the policy was to build capacity in domestic industries by ensuring that Nigerian firms are no longer side lined in favour of foreign suppliers, especially in sectors where local alternatives are available.
“The days when contractors acted merely as intermediaries importing foreign goods while local factories shut down are over. President Tinubu wants Nigeria to stop sitting on the side lines and start producing what we consume,” he said.