Government urged to lead ‘Nigeria First’ Policy

• As BIO, Providus bank, others support women entrepreneurs

By Henry Uche

Women in the small and medium size business landscape in Nigeria have charged the federal government to be consistent with its policy pronouncements and lead the way in implementing the ‘Nigeria First’ policy initiative.

Speaking at the handover Ceremony/AGM of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Alumnae Association (AWEAA) in Lagos, the CEO of Le Look Nigeria limited, Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, who made this call maintained that the government must lead by example.

The ‘Nigeria First’ policy is a federal government initiative, approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2025, that prioritizes the use of locally made goods and services in government procurement. The policy aims to boost the domestic economy by reducing reliance on imports, stimulating local production, creating jobs, and fostering technological growth. It also directs Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to procure foreign goods only when a local alternative is not available and requires a written waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

Ezenwa posited “Let us domestic this policy and make it work. You must lead by example. The Policy said we should use what we produce and produce what we use. To the women entrepreneurs, they should brace up for the challenges, show financial and personal discipline, pay attention to details and prioritize quality offering because money is not everything”

She added that her company has lasted for 40 years because she had sustainability plan from the outset. “The first weapon and ammunition you need to win is your mindset. Women have all it takes to explore and do exploits. We must work with integrity and uphold our values, indecent dresses should stop” she added.

On her part, the outgoing President of AWEAA, Adebisi Odeleye, told newsmen that access to finance, market, conducive regulation and empowerment topped her two years leadership. “We worked with different partners like the Providus Bank. The government should take women seriously.

“Our relationship with NAFDAC, SON, and other agencies should be seamless, they shouldn’t make things difficult for us. For the ongoing Bank of Industry GLOW fund for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, a program aimed at providing loans to women-owned businesses, they told us is 51 percent of women -led businesses to access this fund, but we are pushing 60 percent and we are optimistic. To my successor, Ajayi, I believe in you, give your best” she implored.

On her part, the president of Association, Victoria Ajayi, assured that her administration would harness the wealth of knowledge that exists within the body in the interest of women. “We are doing great things. We shall champion projects across the states with the support of our partners like Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Fidelity Bank, International Trade Centre/SheTrade, BIO, Optimum Bank, and others. We shall bring opportunities to our women, but we must remain steadfast and look beyond challenges, we will get there” she confirmed.

Speaking for Providus Bank, the Lead – SMEs Strategy and Development, Damilola Feyide, said, “We have been in support of SMEs in Nigeria. Women in SMEs are important to us. ‘The Providus Bank SheThrives Program’ is there for women. This is in partnership with Enterprise Development Centre and United Nations. It’s an annual program that targeted at women to thrive in their respective businesses” she submitted.

In support of women entrepreneurs, Mr. Olayinka Oguntola, the national coordinator, from the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Nigeria, said, “We have partnered with AWEAA in the past two years and still working with others to give women entrepreneurs great opportunities, and we are committed to that” he avowed.