FG to Launch National Campaign Promoting Made-in-Nigeria Products

The Federal Government is preparing to roll out a nationwide campaign to promote Made-in-Nigeria goods and services under the “Nigeria First” policy, as part of broader efforts to boost the country’s manufacturing sector.

President Bola Tinubu announced the initiative on Thursday during the fifth Adeola Odutola Lecture, hosted by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Lagos. The President was represented at the event by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh.

According to Enoh, the campaign is designed to redirect domestic demand toward locally produced goods that meet international quality standards, while also tackling Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imports. He noted that early research suggests the campaign could increase manufacturing output by as much as six percent and generate over 500,000 jobs within three years.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the growth of the manufacturing sector through targeted policies that encourage local production, consumption, and export.

“No nation achieves sustainable prosperity without producing competitively and exporting at scale,” the President said. “Economic resilience begins in the factory and is sustained in the marketplace. We are committed to lowering structural costs and enabling Nigerian manufacturers to thrive both locally and globally.”

He also outlined six core policy pillars of the “Nigeria First” agenda:

• Reforms in federal procurement
• Enforcement of quality and standards
• Export market expansion
• Improved access to finance
• Enhancements in energy, logistics, and skills development
• Strengthening of input security

President Tinubu urged manufacturers to maintain high standards and transparency, and to work closely with government agencies by sharing accurate data on production capacity and pricing to help guide policy decisions.

In his remarks, President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote represented by former MAN President, Mr. Mansur Ahmed outlined eight key expectations from the Nigeria First policy.

Dangote emphasized that for the policy to be effective, it must be institutionalised as a legally binding national strategy that can endure political transitions and withstand market fluctuations. He stressed that the policy must reflect global best practices while being rooted in Nigeria’s unique industrial context.

Among the key expectations he listed were:

• Enacting the policy into law with enforcement mechanisms
• Ensuring consistency and stability of implementation
• Creating a national supplier registry
• Encouraging consumer engagement and cultural buy-in
• Incentivising backward integration
• Addressing infrastructure and energy challenges
• Expanding access to finance
• Leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for regional export growth

“The Nigeria First Policy offers a bold path to sustainable industrialisation,” Dangote stated. “But its success hinges on strong legislation, institutional backing, and coordinated implementation across government and industry. It must produce measurable outcomes that focus on local value creation and national development.”

He added that every country is competing to improve the living standards of its people, and Nigeria must act decisively to stay competitive.

President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, commended the government’s ongoing reform efforts, including the Nigeria First policy. He said full legislation and rigorous implementation could significantly uplift the manufacturing sector and enhance the welfare of Nigerian citizens.

However, Meshioye acknowledged that local manufacturers continue to face severe challenges, both from global economic pressures and domestic policy and macroeconomic constraints.

He stressed that the Nigeria First policy is not just an industrial strategy, but a matter of national economic survival.

“If we fail to intentionally support our own manufacturers, we risk becoming uncompetitive globally,” Meshioye warned. “MAN views this policy as a foundation for national resilience, job creation, foreign exchange savings, and technological advancement. Its success depends on firm legislation and unwavering execution.”

The 5th Adeola Odutola Lecture and Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition took place from October 14 to 16 in Lagos.

 NAN