FEC Approves ‘Nigeria First’ Policy to Promote Local Goods in Government Contracts
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new economic initiative, the Nigeria First policy, which mandates prioritizing locally produced goods and services in all government procurements.
Speaking after Monday’s FEC meeting in Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced that the policy will soon be reinforced through an executive order.
“This policy ensures that Nigerian products and services come first in all procurement decisions. No foreign alternatives will be considered if the same products or services are available locally, unless a strong justification is provided,” he said.
Idris explained that the policy aims to reshape public spending to stimulate domestic industry, create jobs, and strengthen economic resilience. “It’s about building a new business culture—bold, confident, and proudly Nigerian. It directs government funds toward supporting local capacity and discourages reliance on foreign supply chains.”
In cases where domestic supply is insufficient, procurement contracts will be structured to help develop local capacity rather than resort to full foreign sourcing.
To enforce this shift, the FEC has directed the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to:
- Revise and implement new procurement guidelines favoring local manufacturers and service providers.
- Establish a compliance framework to monitor local content in all government procurements.
- Maintain a database of high-quality Nigerian vendors regularly engaged by the federal government.
- Centralize procurement officers under BPP supervision to enhance efficiency and oversight.
The Nigeria First policy aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s broader vision of driving industrialization, reducing dependency on imports, and shielding the economy from global shocks.
