The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has praised President Bola Tinubu’s “Nigeria First” policy, describing it as a bold and strategic step toward fast-tracking the country’s industrial revolution and economic growth.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NASENI’s executive vice chairman, Khalil Halilu commended the policy’s focus on prioritising locally made goods and indigenous innovations in government procurement. He said the directive would provide a major boost for local entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and technology developers by creating a more supportive environment for their growth.
“With Mr. President’s directive to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to revise and enforce guidelines in favour of local suppliers, we expect a significant rise in the patronage of Nigerian-made products,” Halilu said. “Government remains a key purchaser of goods and services and this move will drive demand across several sectors.”
Calling the policy “forward-thinking and revolutionary,” Halilu noted that NASENI has long championed local content through its own initiatives. He cited products developed by the agency – including Nigerian-assembled vehicles, renewable energy systems, smart irrigation tools and electronic devices – as proof of the growing quality and competitiveness of locally manufactured goods.
He also pointed to NASENI’s ongoing Made-in-Nigeria Strategic Focus Group meetings across the country, which aim to foster awareness and gain insights into consumer perceptions of local products. These forums convene experts, regulators, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and civil society actors to discuss challenges and propose strategies for increasing local patronage.
“We are determined to be at the forefront of delivering the President’s vision,” Halilu stated. “But this also calls for responsibility from our local producers. Policy support is important, but so is quality. Our products must rival imports in performance and meet the expectations of Nigerian consumers.”
A statement by the agency’s director of information, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan emphasised that NASENI – tasked with developing Nigeria’s science and engineering infrastructure – has been engaging stakeholders in states including Katsina, Lagos, Anambra, Delta, Kano, Kaduna and Ogun to drive innovation, address manufacturing gaps and promote homegrown solutions.
President Tinubu’s “Nigeria First” policy instructs the BPP to implement procurement reforms that favour local content and maintain a register of qualified Nigerian manufacturers and service providers.
Halilu concluded by reaffirming NASENI’s readiness: “We have seen the talent and capability of our manufacturers. They are ready. With the right support, we can truly industrialise Nigeria through our own innovations.”
