NASENI Lauds Tinubu’s “Nigeria First” Policy as Catalyst for Industrial Growth
By Patience Ikpeme
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy,” hailing it as a significant stride toward accelerating Nigeria’s industrial revolution and fostering economic expansion.
In a statement issued by NASENI, the agency’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, commended the policy’s emphasis on locally manufactured goods and indigenous solutions in government procurement processes. He stated that this directive would empower local entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and technology innovators by providing them with the necessary support for growth.
“With Mr. President’s directive to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to revise and enforce guidelines favoring local suppliers, we anticipate a considerable increase in the demand for Nigerian-made products,” Mr. Halilu said. “Government is a major consumer of goods and services, and this action will lead to greater demand across vital sectors.”
Describing the policy as “forward-thinking and revolutionary,” Mr. Halilu noted that NASENI has long advocated for local content through its own initiatives. He cited products developed by the agency, including Nigerian-assembled vehicles, energy systems, smart irrigation tools, and electronic devices, as proof of the quality and competitiveness of local manufacturing.
He also mentioned NASENI’s ongoing Made-in-Nigeria Strategic Focus Group meetings held nationwide. These forums aim to increase awareness and understanding of consumer attitudes toward local products, bringing together experts, regulators, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and civil society actors to identify challenges and promote solutions for increased local patronage.
“We are determined to be at the forefront of implementing the President’s vision,” Mr. Halilu stated. “However, this also serves as a call to action for local producers. It is not enough to benefit from policy support; quality and standards must never be compromised. We must deliver products that can compete effectively with imports and meet the needs of Nigerian consumers.”
NASENI, tasked with developing Nigeria’s science and engineering infrastructure, has been engaging stakeholders across states such as Katsina, Lagos, Anambra, Delta, Kano, Kaduna, and Ogun to stimulate innovation, address manufacturing challenges, and encourage the adoption of homegrown solutions.
President Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy” directs the BPP to implement procurement reforms that prioritize local content and maintain a register of qualified Nigerian manufacturers and service providers.
Mr. Halilu concluded by affirming NASENI’s readiness to lead this effort: “We have witnessed the capacity and competence of our local manufacturers. They are prepared. With the right support, we can achieve true industrialization driven by Nigerian solutions.”
