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| President Bola Tinubu |
The Federal Government will launch a major national campaign to promote Made-in-Nigeria goods as part of a new "Nigeria First" policy. The plan aims to revitalize the nation's manufacturing sector and reduce import dependency .
President Bola Tinubu announced the policy at the fifth Adeola Odutola Lecture held by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Lagos. He was represented by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh .
Preliminary studies show the campaign could boost manufacturing by up to six percent within three years. It may also create more than 500,000 new jobs during that period .
The President stated that no country achieves prosperity without producing what it consumes and exporting at scale. He described factories as the starting point for economic resilience .
This policy emerges as Nigeria's manufacturing sector faces significant challenges. Recent data shows the sector lost 18,935 jobs in the first half of 2025. Unsold manufactured goods have piled up to N1.04 trillion .
Despite these struggles, industry leaders project improvement next year. MAN forecasts 3.1 percent real growth for manufacturing in 2026. The sector's contribution to real GDP is expected to reach 10.2 percent .
The government has outlined a detailed six-point plan to implement the Nigeria First policy. It includes specific initiatives with clear timelines .
One key commitment involves federal procurement reforms. All government ministries, departments and agencies must now prioritize Nigerian-made goods. They will need special waivers to buy foreign products. A new compliance dashboard will track this starting in the first quarter of 2026 .
Other policy areas focus on quality standards, export expansion, and better access to finance. The plan also addresses reliable energy for industrial clusters and workforce skills development .
President Tinubu urged manufacturers to maintain high quality standards. He asked them to collaborate with government agencies by sharing accurate production data .
The Nigeria First policy aligns with other recent government actions. In May 2025, the Federal Executive Council approved a related procurement policy. The Senate also passed a bill requiring local processing of 30% of raw materials before export .
Additional measures include import bans on 25 agricultural and pharmaceutical products. These items can be produced locally, according to officials. The government also restricted imported solar panels to develop local renewable energy capacity .
Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, voiced support for the policy. He said it must become a binding national strategy that survives political changes. Dangote called for legislation with consequences for non-compliance .
He listed eight manufacturer expectations for the policy. These include stable policies, a national supplier registry, and consumer engagement campaigns. He also emphasized solving infrastructure and energy problems .
MAN President Otunba Francis Meshioye praised the government's efforts. He said the policy could significantly improve manufacturing fortunes and citizen wellbeing. He described it as a matter of national economic survival, not just an industrial goal .
The manufacturing sector continues to face serious headwinds. MAN's Director of Research, Oluwasegun Osidipe, cited numerous challenges. These include poor power supply, foreign exchange scarcity, high interest rates, and low customer demand .
Other problems include high electricity tariffs, raw material shortages, and poor road infrastructure. Multiple taxes and excessive regulation also hamper production .
In the first half of 2025, manufacturers spent N676.6 billion on alternative energy. They also paid N1.72 trillion for imported raw materials .
The Nigeria First policy connects to broader African trade opportunities. Nigeria has gazetted its tariff concession schedule under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The plan phases in tariff reductions over ten years .
This approach protects sensitive sectors like agriculture and pharmaceuticals. It gives local industries time to become competitive before facing full regional competition .
The government sees the policy supporting Nigeria's goal of a $1 trillion economy by 2030. The livestock sector alone aims to grow its GDP contribution from $32 billion to $74 billion by 2035 .
International partners are supporting related manufacturing initiatives. Nigeria recently signed agreements with the European Union to boost local pharmaceutical production. The deals are part of the EU's Global Gateway program for regional health resilience .
Vice-President Kashim Shettima said these partnerships align with the President's executive order on local drug production. The government wants to build a sustainable health economy that reduces import dependency .
Economic analysts note positive signs in recent GDP data. Nigeria's industry sector grew 7.45% in the second quarter of 2025. This outpaced services for the first time since GDP rebasing in early 2024 .
The oil sector led this growth with a 20.46% expansion. Average daily crude production increased to 1.68 million barrels .
Despite this progress, manufacturing remains sluggish with just 1.60% growth in Q2. Some sub-sectors like textiles and motor vehicles contracted .
The World Bank acknowledges Nigeria's reform efforts but notes continued challenges. Their Nigeria Development Update reports economic growth of 3.9% year-on-year in first half 2025. However, high food inflation and poverty remain serious concerns for households .
MAN leaders express cautious optimism for 2026. They project further naira appreciation to between N1,300 and N1,400 per US dollar. They also expect inflation to drop to around 14% .
The Central Bank is anticipated to reduce benchmark interest rates to about 23%. This would help stimulate credit expansion and output growth .
MAN Director-General Segun Ajayi-Kadir said exchange rate stability must be protected with all available policy tools. He described manufacturing as the heartbeat of sustainable recovery .
The Nigeria First policy represents a comprehensive shift in economic strategy. It moves Nigeria toward domestic value addition and reduced import dependence. The government aims to create a more resilient industrial base .
Success will depend on effective implementation across multiple areas. These include infrastructure development, quality control, and reliable energy supply. Access to affordable financing for manufacturers remains crucial .
As the policy moves forward, all stakeholders will watch initial implementation steps. The first quarter 2026 compliance dashboard for government procurement will provide early evidence of progress .
The government hopes this national effort will position Nigeria as a competitive production hub within Africa. The broader goal is to build an economy that produces what it consumes and exports what it produces best .