President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given his seal of approval to the “Renewed Hope Nigeria First” policy, a bold initiative requiring all federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to prioritize Nigerian-made goods, services, and expertise in government spending.
The announcement came from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Monday at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
Idris described the policy as a strategic move to place Nigerian interests at the heart of every government expenditure, stressing that an Executive Order to give it full legal weight would be issued in the coming days.
The policy closely mirrors former US President Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign imports and foster the growth of local industries.
“This policy puts Nigeria at the center of every kobo the government spends,” Idris said, emphasizing the commitment to empowering domestic businesses and industries. Under the new directive, Nigerian suppliers and service providers will be given top priority, with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) tasked with revising procurement guidelines to support local production.
Idris further explained that the government is committed to a policy where, whenever a local alternative exists, there should be no justification for importing goods or services.
In a clear message to MDAs, he added that they are now prohibited from purchasing foreign goods or services already available locally, unless they obtain a written waiver from the BPP.
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As part of this initiative, contracts for goods or services with no local alternatives will be required to include provisions for technology transfer, local production, or skills development—similar to the requirements seen in the Sugar Master Plan, which incentivizes firms investing in local infrastructure.
In response to the new directive, MDAs have been given a strict deadline to audit their procurement plans for 2025 and submit revised versions in compliance with the updated policy.
The aim is to create a more robust Local Content Compliance Framework, which will feature a registry of high-quality Nigerian suppliers regularly engaged in government projects.
This initiative aligns with the president’s broader vision for economic self-sufficiency and job creation.
The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has been tasked with drafting the Executive Order that will formalize the policy and ensure its legal enforcement.
The Renewed Hope Nigeria First policy is seen as a significant step toward reducing Nigeria’s dependence on foreign goods while stimulating the growth of local industries and fostering sustainable economic development.