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The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has expressed strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recently launched “Nigeria First Policy,” describing it as a bold and transformative move aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s industrial development and economic growth.
In a statement released on Sunday, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, applauded the policy’s emphasis on prioritising local content in government procurement, particularly the directive to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to revise and enforce guidelines in favour of Nigerian-made goods and services.
“With Mr. President’s directive to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to revise and enforce guidelines in favour of local suppliers, we anticipate a significant increase in patronage of Nigerian-made products,” Halilu said.
“Government is a major buyer of goods and services, and this move will translate into increased demand across key sectors.”
Describing the policy as both “forward-thinking and revolutionary,” Halilu highlighted NASENI’s longstanding commitment to promoting local content through various initiatives.
He cited the agency’s development of Nigerian-assembled vehicles, energy systems, smart irrigation tools, and electronic devices as evidence of the growing capabilities of local manufacturing.
He also mentioned the ongoing Made-in-Nigeria Strategic Focus Group meetings organised by NASENI across the country to foster consumer confidence in indigenous products.
According to him, these forums bring together stakeholders such as experts, regulators, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and civil society representatives to identify barriers and propose solutions for boosting local patronage.
“We are determined to be at the forefront of implementing the President’s vision,” Halilu affirmed.
“But this is also a call to action for local producers. It is not enough to enjoy policy support; quality and standards must never be compromised.
“We must deliver products that compete favourably with imports and meet the needs of Nigerian consumers.”
NASENI, which is charged with developing the country’s science and engineering infrastructure, has been engaging stakeholders in states including Katsina, Lagos, Anambra, Delta, Kano, Kaduna, and Ogun. The aim, according to the agency, is to drive innovation, address manufacturing challenges, and encourage widespread adoption of homegrown solutions.
President Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy” instructs the BPP to implement procurement reforms that promote local content and create a national register of qualified Nigerian manufacturers and service providers.
Reiterating NASENI’s commitment, Halilu stated, “We have seen the capacity and competence of our local manufacturers. They are ready. With the right support, we can achieve true industrialisation powered by Nigerian solutions.”