The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the “Nigeria First” Policy on procurement, projects, and other related matters.
The policy aims to promote Nigerian-made goods and services, support local businesses, and reduce dependence on imported goods.
The Nigeria First Policy is an initiative of the Federal Government, aimed at promoting local production and consumption of Nigerian goods and services.
The policy seeks to create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and increase Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said that the agency has over 50 market-ready products that will benefit from the policy.
He noted that NASENI has gained over $2 billion from its recent partnership activities with China alone.
The Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, said that the MoU between BPP and NASENI offers a structured bridge between production and procurement.
He noted that the policy will prioritize local options and make them the default option before all others.
The BPP will integrate NASENI’s product catalogue into the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO), encouraging other MDAs to follow suit.
This will make NASENI’s products visible, verifiable, and measurable across all MDAs.
The MoU is expected to have transformative impacts on Nigeria’s economy and human capital development, aligning with national goals for industrialization, youth employment, and economic diversification.
The policy will also help to fast-track Nigeria’s industrial revolution and promote Made-in-Nigeria products.
The Director-General of BPP called on all MDAs to follow NASENI’s footprint in promoting Made-in-Nigeria products.
He emphasized that the role of BPP is to ensure that standards are rewarded with access, and that MDAs no longer look outside when the best is being made inside.
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