NASENI Backs Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy,” Hails Boost for Local Innovation

Maryam Aminu

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has expressed strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s newly launched “Nigeria First Policy,” describing it as a bold move to accelerate the country’s industrialization and economic self-reliance.

In a statement released on Sunday by Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, NASENI’s Director of Information, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, praised the policy’s focus on promoting indigenous products and services in government procurement processes. He said the initiative would empower local entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and innovators by enhancing their access to government contracts and support.

“With Mr. President’s directive to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to revise and enforce guidelines favoring local suppliers, we anticipate a surge in the demand for Nigerian-made products,” Halilu stated. “Government remains the single largest buyer of goods and services. This move is expected to drive growth across critical sectors.”

Halilu described the policy as both “forward-thinking and revolutionary,” noting that NASENI has long championed local manufacturing through its various initiatives. He cited products such as Nigerian-assembled vehicles, energy systems, smart irrigation tools, and electronic devices as examples of the quality achievable within the country.

He also pointed to NASENI’s ongoing Made-in-Nigeria Strategic Focus Group meetings held across several states as part of efforts to understand consumer behavior and promote local content. These sessions bring together regulators, industry players, and civil society to develop strategies for increasing patronage of Nigerian goods.

“We are ready to lead the implementation of the President’s vision,” Halilu added. “But it’s also a challenge to local producers to uphold quality. Policy support is not enough we must deliver products that can rival imports and meet the expectations of Nigerian consumers.”

As part of its nationwide engagement strategy, NASENI has been working with stakeholders in states such as Lagos, Kaduna, Anambra, Delta, Kano, Katsina, and Ogun to strengthen innovation, solve manufacturing challenges, and encourage the adoption of homegrown technologies.

President Tinubu’s directive mandates the BPP to reform procurement procedures to favor local content and maintain a comprehensive registry of qualified Nigerian manufacturers and service providers.

Halilu reaffirmed NASENI’s commitment to the policy’s success, saying, “We have seen what our manufacturers are capable of. With the right support, Nigeria can achieve genuine industrial transformation driven by local ingenuity.”