Tinubu Unveils ‘Nigeria First’ Policy, Bans Foreign Goods to Boost Local Industry

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a definitive stance to reshape Nigeria’s economic trajectory, unveiling a sweeping new policy framework that bans the importation of foreign goods and services that can be produced locally. Dubbed the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy, the initiative aims to reorient government spending, procurement, and economic activities to favor Nigerian industries, products, and workers.

Details of the transformative policy were disclosed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by the President at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on Monday.

According to Idris, this new direction is not merely a policy adjustment but a fundamental overhaul of how the federal government will engage with its economy. He described the move as a “bold shift” designed to stimulate domestic industry, curb over-reliance on imports, and place Nigerians at the forefront of national development.

“This policy seeks to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and very Nigerian,” said Idris. “It aims at making government investment directly benefit our people and industries by changing how we spend, how we procure, and how we build our economy.”

A major highlight of the announcement is the explicit restriction on expatriates being contracted for jobs that local Nigerian professionals and artisans are capable of executing. Any exception to this rule will now require detailed justification and express approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

The President has also directed the Attorney General of the Federation to draft an Executive Order to give the new framework full legal backing. Once signed, this directive is expected to become the anchor of the Tinubu administration’s broader economic strategy, with a particular focus on import substitution and industrial revitalization.

At the heart of the policy is a firm directive to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize Nigerian-made goods and services in their procurement processes. The BPP will take center stage in enforcing this mandate by updating procurement guidelines, establishing a strict compliance mechanism, and maintaining a database of high-quality local suppliers for use across all federal procurement activities.

Procurement officers currently posted to MDAs will be withdrawn and reassigned to the BPP to ensure impartiality and reduce the risk of undue influence or corruption. No foreign procurement will be allowed if an equivalent product or service exists locally unless an official waiver is granted by the BPP.

The policy further stipulates that in cases where foreign contracts are absolutely necessary, they must include provisions for technology transfer, local production partnerships, or capacity development within Nigeria. This is intended to ensure that even foreign engagements contribute meaningfully to national industrial growth.

All government MDAs have been instructed to immediately review and resubmit their procurement plans to align with the new directives. Non-compliance will be met with disciplinary measures, including potential cancellation of procurement processes.

Citing the example of the nation’s sugar industry, the Minister lamented the continued reliance on sugar imports despite the presence of local producers and regulatory institutions like the Nigerian Sugar Council. “We continue to import sugar even though several local producers exist. This policy will change that,” Idris asserted.

The policy underscores a commitment to ensuring that government funds drive local production and employment rather than fueling foreign supply chains. Contractors engaged by the government will no longer be permitted to act merely as intermediaries importing foreign goods, while Nigerian factories remain underutilized.

“This is about ensuring that Nigerian money works for the Nigerian people,” said Idris. “It’s time to close the gap between government spending and local economic development.”

Observers note that this marks one of the most assertive attempts by any administration in recent years to redirect the economic compass of Africa’s largest economy toward self-sufficiency. It mirrors, in tone and spirit, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy — a parallel Idris himself acknowledged during the media briefing.

The Tinubu administration has already introduced significant reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and a restructured foreign exchange regime. These measures, while initially unpopular, are part of a broader economic stabilization plan aimed at restoring investor confidence and creating a more resilient domestic economy.

However, analysts anticipate that the implementation of the Nigeria First policy will not be without challenges. Entrenched procurement interests, capacity concerns within local industries, and resistance from multinational suppliers are potential hurdles. Nonetheless, officials remain adamant about enforcing the policy rigorously across all tiers of government.

“This is a major shift in government policy. It puts Nigeria – not foreign companies, not imports – at the heart of our national development,” Idris reiterated.

With the policy set to take effect following the President’s signature on the pending Executive Order, the Tinubu administration appears determined to forge a new economic path—one where Nigerian innovation, labor, and enterprise take center stage.