President Bola Tinubu has approved a sweeping new policy dubbed the Renewed Hope Nigeria-First initiative, which mandates all federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to prioritize Nigerian-made goods, services, and expertise in all government spending.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the development after Monday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He emphasized that the directive ensures every kobo of public funds is spent in a way that benefits Nigerians directly.
“This policy puts Nigeria at the centre of all government procurement,” Idris stated, adding that an Executive Order to legally enforce the directive will be signed in the coming days.
The policy, reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach, aims to empower local industries, create jobs, and reduce reliance on imported goods and services.
Idris stressed that government contracts must now favour Nigerian suppliers whenever viable local alternatives exist. “If there’s a local option, importing is not an option,” he said.
The FEC has endorsed the President’s directive, with the Attorney-General of the Federation instructed to draft the Executive Order that will formalize the policy.
As part of the implementation strategy, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) will:
- Revise procurement guidelines to prioritize local businesses.
- Develop a Local Content Compliance Framework.
- Maintain a registry of qualified Nigerian suppliers.
- Oversee the deployment of procurement officers across all MDAs.
MDAs are now prohibited from procuring foreign goods or services available locally, except where the BPP grants a written waiver. For contracts involving foreign products or services where no local alternative exists, provisions must be made for technology transfer, local production, or skills development—similar to measures in the Sugar Master Plan promoting backward integration.
All MDAs have also been instructed to audit and revise their 2025 procurement plans to align with the new Nigeria-First policy immediately.
“No foreign procurement shall proceed without proper justification and BPP approval,” the policy directive concludes.
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