The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, has strongly defended the Nigeria First Policy, insisting that all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) must prioritize the procurement of vehicles assembled in Nigeria. He argued that this approach is essential for boosting local manufacturing, creating employment opportunities, and conserving foreign exchange reserves.
Policy Objectives and Economic Impact
Speaking on Channels TV's Sunrise Daily program on Thursday, Osanipin explained that the policy is specifically designed to ensure that government spending directly supports Nigeria's industrial growth. He highlighted the automotive sector as a critical catalyst for multiple industries, including steel, plastics, textiles, and technology. According to him, the Federal Government spends substantial amounts annually on vehicle procurement, and redirecting these purchases to locally assembled vehicles would stimulate economic activity, expand employment, and strengthen the nation's manufacturing base.
Implementation Framework
Osanipin detailed that the implementation framework is being driven through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). Government agencies seeking procurement approvals will be required to source vehicles from a list of approved local assemblers. He clarified, "We are not choosing the brand for any agency, but the vehicles must come from companies assembling in Nigeria. If there is a local substitute, government funds should be used to buy that vehicle." The policy applies across all federal MDAs, including the National Assembly and other government institutions, except in cases involving specialized vehicles that cannot currently be produced locally.
Exemptions and Compliance
Acknowledging concerns raised during the program about whether top government officials, including the President, would comply, Osanipin explained that certain highly specialized or security-equipped vehicles may be exempted due to unique requirements. However, he maintained that such exemptions would be limited and would not undermine the overall objective of promoting local vehicle production. He stressed that Nigeria already has the capacity to assemble a wide range of vehicles required by the government, including SUVs, passenger cars, pick-up trucks, and commercial buses. Local manufacturers are also making progress in producing specialized security and armored vehicles, with firms like Proforce already supplying security-related vehicles assembled in the country.
Future Plans and Enforcement
Osanipin said the policy will initially focus on federal government procurement before engagement begins with state governments and the private sector. He also disclosed that NADDC has strengthened collaboration with vehicle importers and dealers through a registration platform designed to improve oversight of vehicle imports and dealership operations nationwide. On enforcement, the Director-General said compliance would be monitored primarily by the BPP through procurement approvals, annual procurement reports, and post-procurement verification processes. He warned that agencies failing to comply could face sanctions, including restrictions on future vehicle procurement approvals.
