Dangote Urges Government to Legislate ‘Nigeria First’ Policy
By Patience Ikpeme
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has made a passionate plea to the Federal Government to urgently legislate and implement the proposed “Nigeria First” Policy, describing it as a critical lever for revitalizing the nation’s manufacturing sector.
Speaking to manufacturers in Lagos at the 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dangote commended the theme of the gathering, “Nigeria First: Prioritizing Made-in-Nigeria,” saying it is timely and a strategic call to action. According to the industrialist, the proposed legislation holds the keys to accelerating the nation’s economic growth and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
“The ‘Nigeria First’ Policy is not just a slogan but a call to action for sustained development and transformation led by our manufacturers,” Dangote stated. “If implemented effectively, it can boost GDP, reduce import dependence, and generate jobs across the country.”
Dangote argued that the policy represents a transformative framework capable of propelling Nigeria toward industrial self-sufficiency and global competitiveness. He drew parallels with global economic powerhouses such as China, India, and the United States, suggesting the importance of adopting a locally tailored industrial policy to protect and promote domestic industries.
Despite Nigeria’s vast potential, Dangote expressed concern that manufacturing contributes less than 10 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a figure that he noted has stagnated for over a decade. He attributed this stagnation to persistent structural challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, policy inconsistency, high energy costs, foreign exchange volatility, and limited access to finance.
As a cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked importation and weak policy support, the industrialist cited the collapse of Nigeria’s once-thriving textile industry, which employed over 500,000 people across 180 mills at its peak.
To address current challenges, Dangote outlined several strategic priorities that manufacturers expect from the ‘Nigeria First’ framework. He called for the Federal Government to legislate the Nigeria First Policy by enacting it into law with enforceable compliance mechanisms. This, he explained, would ensure policy stability and long-term commitment, thereby fostering investor confidence by avoiding policy reversals.
The framework, he said, should also include developing a National Supplier Registry—a verified database of local manufacturers for government procurement—and a robust “Buy Made in Nigeria” campaign to drive consumer engagement and national pride. Additionally, he called for incentivising Backward Integration to support companies investing in local raw materials and Research and Development.
As part of the strategy, Dangote also urged the government to address Infrastructure and Energy Deficits by improving access to affordable power and efficient logistics. He called for Enhancing Access to Finance by lowering interest rates and expanding funding for manufacturing enterprises, as well as Leveraging AfCFTA Opportunities by strengthening export capacity to boost regional competitiveness.
Dangote stressed that the policy must transcend political cycles and rhetoric to become a binding national strategy.
He urged: “Every nation is in a race to improve the living conditions of its citizens. The government has taken some steps that give us a fighting chance. The Nigeria First policy, if embraced, will place us in a very competitive position. Let’s act.”
The 53rd MAN AGM brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and development partners to chart a path for revitalizing Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and positioning it for long-term, inclusive growth.
