Tinubu Implements Nigeria First Policy, Bans Foreign Goods To Boost Local Industries

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instituted a comprehensive ban on the importation of foreign products, particularly those that can be locally manufactured in Nigeria.

He has also imposed strict guidelines for foreign workers entering Nigeria to execute projects that skilled Nigerian artisans and contractors are capable of handling. Such foreign involvement will now require explicit clearance from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), with clear justification.

This announcement was made public by Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President at the State House, Abuja.

According to Minister Idris, the President’s decision is a bold economic reform designed to empower Nigeria’s domestic industries and elevate local productivity. This newly approved framework is titled the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy.

The minister compared this approach to the “America First” model once championed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting a redirection of government spending to favor local businesses and reduce reliance on foreign imports.

“This initiative promotes a confident, self-reliant business culture,” Idris stated. “It prioritizes local industries and ensures public investment supports Nigerian-made goods and services.”

To solidify the framework, President Tinubu has mandated the Attorney General of the Federation to prepare an Executive Order that will legally enforce this policy.

Major Highlights of the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy

Procurement Overhaul: The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) will revise its procurement rules to give preference to goods and services made in Nigeria across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Compliance System: A structured enforcement mechanism will be set up to guarantee adherence to local content guidelines.
Supplier Database: BPP will create and maintain a live database of verified Nigerian suppliers for federal procurement use.
Centralized Oversight: Procurement officers will be reassigned to BPP for better supervision and to curb corruption.
Strict Waiver Conditions: No MDA is allowed to purchase foreign alternatives where local options exist unless they obtain written clearance from BPP.
Technology Transfer Clause: Foreign contracts must include elements that promote local manufacturing, technology transfer, or Nigerian workforce development.
Immediate Implementation: MDAs must revise and resubmit procurement plans in alignment with the new policy. Any violations may result in disciplinary measures or termination of procurement processes.

Citing Nigeria’s sugar industry as a case study, the minister lamented ongoing imports despite local production capabilities through bodies like the Nigerian Sugar Council. He emphasized that the new policy seeks to halt such oversight and stimulate local capacity.

“Contractors can no longer operate as middlemen importing goods, while local industries remain underutilized. Our spending must circulate within Nigeria,” he emphasized.

This Nigeria First initiative forms part of the broader economic reforms pursued by the Tinubu administration, which also includes fuel subsidy removal, a new FX regime, and policies aimed at rebuilding investor trust.

The administration views this as a vital step toward promoting industrialization, job creation, and sustainable economic growth through local empowerment.

Despite anticipated resistance and implementation bottlenecks, officials maintain that the government is committed to strict enforcement.

“This marks a transformative shift in our economic policy. It places Nigeria—its industries, workforce, and innovation—at the core of our developmental goals,” Idris concluded.

The Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy will become fully operational following the signing of the Executive Order by the President.