The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Dangote Group have called on the Federal Government to turn the ‘Nigeria First’ policy into law to strengthen its enforcement across ministries, departments, and agencies.
They made the call at the 5th Adeola Oduntola Lecture and Presidential Luncheon held in Lagos as part of MAN’s 53rd Annual General Meeting with the theme “Prioritising Made-in-Nigeria.”
President of MAN, Francis Meshioye, said that effective implementation of the policy is vital and should be tied to measurable performance indicators monitored by a properly funded National Bureau of Procurement.
He urged the Federal Government to create and operationalise a N1 trillion stabilisation fund to support manufacturers struggling with rising costs and limited access to foreign exchange.
Meshioye said, “The Nigeria First policy is not merely a call to action; it is a national imperative. The future of our manufacturing sector and our economic independence depends on our collective resolve to prioritise local value creation, enforce supportive policies, and invest boldly in our industrial base.”
Aliko Dangote, represented by the President of the Pan African Manufacturers Association, Ahmed Mansur, stressed that manufacturing remains the backbone of any strong economy.
He said the growth of the manufacturing sector has a larger impact on GDP than any other industry, noting that this makes it necessary for Nigeria to strengthen the ‘Nigeria First’ policy.
“The Nigeria First policy is a forward-looking appeal for industrial self-sufficiency, economic resilience, and competitiveness in the global market. For it to work, it must be a durable national strategy for industrial development, capable of surviving political transitions and market pressures. It should combine global best practices with Nigeria’s industrial realities,” Dangote said.
Both leaders agreed that making the policy legally binding would ensure government agencies and private entities adhere to the goal of promoting local production, creating jobs, and reducing dependence on imports.
