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By Moses Akaigwe
The Federal Government has taken a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s automotive industry as the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) formally signed a policy framework to enforce the Nigeria-First initiative in the automotive sector.
The policy document, signed on Friday in Abuja, is aimed at ensuring that ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) prioritise Nigerian-assembled vehicles in all government procurement processes, thereby promoting local manufacturing, creating jobs and retaining economic value within the country.
The policy document, jointly endorsed by NADDC and BPP, provides clear implementation guidelines designed to align public procurement with Nigeria’s industrial and economic development goals.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the DG of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, described the initiative as a landmark development for Nigeria’s industrial growth and automotive sector.
According to him, Nigeria has for decades depended heavily on imported vehicles, a trend that has limited the country’s economic potential and slowed the growth of indigenous automotive assemblers.
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“For too long, our nation has been a consumer of foreign-made automotive products, a trend that has limited our economic potential and hindered the growth of our local assemblers. Today, under the guidance of the Nigeria First Policy, we are fundamentally shifting that paradigm,” Osanipin stated.
He explained that the implementation of the policy goes beyond procurement, stressing that it represents a strategic economic imperative capable of strengthening industrial capacity and stimulating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Osanipin commended the Bureau of Public Procurement for its collaboration and commitment toward the successful implementation of the initiative, noting that directing government spending toward locally assembled vehicles would significantly support domestic automotive production.
Earlier, the DG of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving a clear directive on the implementation of the Nigerian-First Policy.
Adedokun disclosed that following the presidential directive, both organisations embarked on extensive stakeholder consultations and engagements aimed at ensuring the successful domestication of the policy within the automotive sector.
He assured that the BPP would continue to provide the necessary regulatory guidance and work closely with NADDC, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Service and Coordination Delivery Unit, anti-corruption agencies, civil society organisations, professional bodies and other critical stakeholders to ensure full compliance and effective implementation of the policy
According to him, the collaborative effort is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s automotive industry, deepen local manufacturing capacity and support broader economic development objectives.
The signing of the policy document underscores the commitment of both NADDC and BPP to advancing local automotive production through strategic government procurement policies designed to stimulate industrial growth and job creation across the country.
