Federal Executive Council Approves ‘Nigeria First’ Policy to Boost Local Content and Economy
By Safiyat Muhammed | Abuja
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a landmark policy initiative tagged the ‘Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy’, aimed at prioritising the patronage of locally produced goods and services across all government transactions.
Proposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the new policy is designed to deepen local content participation, reduce dependence on foreign imports, and stimulate Nigeria’s economy through strategic government spending.
To institutionalise the policy, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation has been directed to draft an Executive Order that will give it full legal backing.
Changing Government Spending Culture
Speaking to State House correspondents after the FEC meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammad Idris, explained that the policy aims to instil a new national ethos that prioritises investment in Nigerian businesses and industries.
“This seeks to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and truly Nigerian. It’s about how government spends money—ensuring our procurement processes put Nigerian industries first,” the Minister said.
According to Idris, contracts will henceforth be designed to enhance domestic production, ensuring that contractors no longer act as intermediaries for importing foreign goods that can be produced locally.
New Directives to BPP for Local Content Compliance
As part of the implementation plan, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has been directed to:
-
Revise and enforce procurement guidelines that prioritise local content;
-
Create a Local Content Compliance Framework for all government procurements;
-
Maintain a register of high-quality Nigerian manufacturers and service providers regularly engaged by the federal government;
-
Redeploy procurement officers from MDAs back to the BPP for central monitoring and control.
“No procurement involving foreign goods or services that are already available locally shall proceed without solid justification and a written waiver from the BPP,” the Minister emphasised.
In addition, government contracts must now include clauses for technology transfer, local production, or skills development. For instance, the Sugar Master Plan will now require beneficiaries to demonstrate investment in backward integration and compliance with national production targets.
Immediate Implementation and Compliance Monitoring
The Minister noted that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are to immediately audit their procurement plans and submit revised versions in line with the new policy. Non-compliance will attract disciplinary sanctions.
“This is a critical shift in our national development agenda. It’s not just policy; it’s a patriotic call to support local industries and empower Nigerian workers,” Idris said.
New Appointments at FEC Meeting
The FEC meeting was preceded by the swearing-in ceremony of Dr. Saviour Enyiekere as the new Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, alongside 12 Commissioners and two new Permanent Secretaries, by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.
