In a decisive move to reshape Nigeria’s economic landscape, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has introduced a sweeping directive that bans all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government from purchasing foreign goods and services when suitable local alternatives exist. This bold policy, dubbed the “Nigeria First Policy,” seeks to revitalize domestic production, reduce dependence on imports, and elevate local enterprises into key players in government procurement.
The new policy, announced during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Monday, was formally shared by Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. It represents one of the most far-reaching efforts by the Tinubu administration to realign public sector expenditure with national economic development priorities.
“We Will Use What We Make”: Tinubu’s Vision for a New Economic Era
President Tinubu, in his statement, emphasized the urgent need for a national business culture that prioritizes Nigerian capabilities and products over foreign imports. He declared:
“We must foster a new business culture — bold, confident, and Nigerian. The government must lead by example. We will invest in our people and our industries by changing how we spend, procure, and build. Going forward, Nigerian industry will take precedence in all procurement.”
The President further emphasized that the country would adopt a new mindset where, “We will make what we use and use what we make — not as a slogan, but as a national commitment.”
This initiative also intends to eliminate the dependency on contractors who serve as mere intermediaries, importing goods from overseas while domestic industries remain idle or underutilized. Tinubu’s message was clear: Nigeria’s manufacturing and service industries must become the engine of government procurement.
Core Features of the Nigeria First Policy
The directive, now binding on all federal government MDAs, includes a series of immediate measures to enforce compliance and shift procurement behavior toward local patronage:
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Ban on Foreign Procurement
All MDAs are now prohibited from procuring foreign goods or services when comparable Nigerian-made alternatives are available. Any exceptions will require a formal waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), ensuring that foreign sourcing becomes the exception rather than the rule. -
Mandatory Procurement Plan Reviews
Every MDA must now conduct an immediate audit and realignment of their procurement plans to reflect the new local content prioritization. Updated procurement strategies must be submitted for oversight and verification. -
Strict Sanctions for Non-Compliance
Agencies and officers that violate the directive will face disciplinary consequences. Sanctions include cancellation of procurement contracts and administrative penalties for the individuals involved in non-compliant transactions.
Strengthening the Role of the Bureau of Public Procurement
To effectively implement the Nigeria First Policy, President Tinubu has empowered the BPP with new responsibilities and oversight authority, including:
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Revising Procurement Guidelines to explicitly favor Nigerian-made products and services.
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Developing a Local Content Compliance Framework to guide all government purchase decisions.
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Maintaining a National Register of Certified Nigerian Manufacturers and Service Providers to ensure quality and accountability.
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Exercising Full Authority Over Procurement Officer Deployment across all MDAs, ensuring that procurement personnel align with national objectives.
This expansion of the BPP’s mandate is aimed at creating a uniform standard across government institutions and eliminating loopholes often exploited by intermediaries and vendors with foreign supply chains.
Building on Economic Reforms and Foreign Investment Momentum
According to the government, this policy aligns with broader economic reforms that the administration has initiated since taking office. These include the controversial removal of fuel subsidies, aggressive investments in infrastructure, and a renewed drive to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
Recent commitments by global energy giants such as Shell, Total, and ExxonMobil were cited as examples of growing investor confidence. However, the government stressed that foreign investment must not overshadow the need to empower local industries. Instead, the President aims to create an ecosystem where international partnerships coexist with domestic industrial growth.
Emphasis on Industrial Backward Integration and Local Production
The policy does not just call for local procurement; it demands that contracts where no immediate local alternative exists include provisions for backward integration, technology transfer, and skills development. In such cases, suppliers must demonstrate how they will contribute to local capacity-building during the contract’s lifespan.
One sector highlighted as a model for this approach is the sugar industry. Under the National Sugar Master Plan II, contracts and quotas will now hinge on demonstrable commitments to local investment, manufacturing, and workforce development.
Ending Import-Fueled Intermediary Culture
The Tinubu administration strongly criticized Nigeria’s entrenched culture of intermediaries—companies that secure government contracts only to fulfill them by importing goods, rather than supporting Nigerian manufacturers. This model, the government argues, has stunted industrial growth and drained foreign exchange reserves.
By eliminating these practices, the Nigeria First Policy intends to restore the role of domestic enterprises as primary contributors to national development, not just fringe participants in a foreign-dominated supply chain.
Towards Economic Self-Reliance and National Pride
Ultimately, this policy signals a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s economic philosophy—from import dependence to industrial patriotism. It seeks to reposition government procurement not only as a tool for meeting administrative needs but as a strategic driver of national self-reliance, enterprise development, and job creation.
President Tinubu envisions a future where Nigerian industries can compete both regionally and globally, and where the public sector serves as the engine of that transformation. By aligning fiscal policy with industrial objectives, the administration hopes to usher in a new era of economic resilience, rooted in the principle of “Nigeria First.”
