The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has expressed his agency’s excitement over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy,” stating that the policy will engineer Nigeria’s industrial revolution and boost the country’s economy.
In a statement released to the press on Sunday, Mr. Halilu stated that the country was blessed with entrepreneurs, industrialists, and technology talents who need the necessary policy and government push to succeed in their endeavors.
He stated that this policy, which prioritizes locally made goods and homegrown solutions in all government procurements, will compel government agencies to lead the way in driving patronage in the local economy.
“With Mr. President’s directive to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to revise and enforce procurement guidelines to favor local suppliers, we are going to see a boost in patronage of our local manufacturers,” Mr. Halilu said.
“Government is a major purchaser of equipment, electronics, and general goods and services, and this will translate to a boost in demand,” he continued.
“I must state that this policy directive is forward-thinking and revolutionary, especially for us in the manufacturing and industrial sectors. At NASENI, we have been undeterred in our resolve to both entrench a culture of patronage of local manufacturing, as well as drive the necessary awareness and leadership needed to achieve this.
“Our products, ranging from assembled-in-Nigeria vehicles, to energy systems, to smart irrigation systems, to mobile devices and laptops, among several others, are world-class and a better local alternative to most of their foreign counterparts.
“In our efforts at driving patronage and understanding consumer sentiments on locally manufactured products, we commenced the NASENI Made-in-Nigeria Strategic Focus Group and awareness meetings across the country. At these meetings, which have brought together experts, academics, government and regulatory officials, manufacturers, industrialists, civil societies, traders, and young entrepreneurs, we have been able to gauge some of the challenges facing patronage, while also creating the much-needed awareness and sentiments that drive patronage.
The EVC/CEO of NASENI stated that his agency was going to ensure that it would be at the forefront of ensuring that the objectives of President Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy” are actualized.
While calling on local manufacturers and industries to take ownership of President Tinubu’s directive, Mr. Halilu stated that they must take the President’s directive as a challenge by delivering quality products with sophisticated branding that would meet consumer demands accordingly.
“This is a challenge to all local producers. Mr. President did not open the door wide for us to be patronized by the country while abandoning quality and standards. We, as manufacturers and industrialists, must live up to the faith President Bola Tinubu has in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
“That means quality and standards must not be compromised. We must produce goods that are both qualitative and competitive, and which can compare favorably with their imported counterparts.
“I believe that we will not let the President down. NASENI has recently toured most parts of the country in its Made-in-Nigeria Strategic Focus Group and awareness meetings. We have seen the capacity, passion, and competence of local manufacturers, and believe that they are capable of filling in the gap and providing local content for government procurement.”
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure is mandated to foster a robust science and engineering infrastructure in Nigeria, focusing on capital goods research, production, and reverse engineering to drive home-initiated industrialization.
Through its strategic focus group meetings held across states like Katsina, Lagos, Anambra, Delta, Kano, Kaduna, and Ogun throughout the first and second quarters of 2025, NASENI has engaged stakeholders, including manufacturers, academia, and industrialists, to address production challenges, boost local innovation, and enhance the patronage of Nigerian-made goods.
These meetings have also focused on harnessing local talent, scaling innovation, and ensuring market adoption of indigenous products that meet global standards.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, earlier last week, directed the implementation of a “Nigeria First Policy,” which mandates the Bureau of Public Procurement to create a framework that enforces procurement guidelines in favor of local manufacturers.
The directive also requests that a register of Nigerian manufacturers and service providers be maintained by the BPP.
