Nigeria First Policy: Beyond the Mantra

Obinna Chima

Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) rose from its meeting this week and announced the approval of the ‘Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy.’ The new policy, whose framework is still being worked out, seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic economy and promote local content.

The policy, expected to become effective as soon as the Executive Order is signed by President Bola Tinubu, mirrors President Donald Trump’s ‘America First,’ that is characterised by tariffs and protectionist measures that have since prompted countries to re-evaluate and reshape their international trade strategies.

By making local content central to government spending, the federal government hopes to drive job creation, industrial growth, and sustainable economic development. The policy also seeks to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and very Nigerian. It aims at making government investment directly benefit our people and industries by changing how we spend, how we procure, and how we build our economy.

Information and National Orientation Minister, Mohammed Idris, described the policy as a bold shift in the country’s economic approach.

“If there are any businesses to be done by anybody, the priority will be Nigeria first of all, if you have any local content, there is no reason for you to go outside this country to import. Now, this is in the form of an executive bill that will soon be issued by Mr. President. Already, Council has approved a set of those proposals and the Office of the Federal Attorney General of the Federation has been directed to prepare an executive order to be issued by Mr. President.

“This seeks to foster a new business culture that will be bold, confident, but also very, very Nigerian, and it aims at making government to invest in our people and our industries by changing how government spends money, how we procure and how we also will build our economy,” he explained.

Part of the initiative is that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) will revise and enforce procurement rules that prioritise Nigerian-made goods and homegrown solutions across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Where foreign contracts are unavoidable, they must include provisions for technology transfer, local production, or capacity development in Nigeria. MDAs were directed to immediately review and resubmit their procurement plans to align with the new policy directives.

Already, the government has warned that breaches would result in disciplinary action and possible cancellation of the procurement process.

With a population of over 200 million people and an abundance of natural resources, there is no doubt that domestic production is the way to go for the country in order to arrest the high level of youth unemployment, lessen the alarming level of insecurity, boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and encourage exports.

But in a nation often accustomed to grand pronouncements that fade into the background, one can’t help but ask: Will this policy truly transcend rhetoric, or is it destined to become just another well-intentioned mantra? While the policy would likely face implementation challenges and resistance from entrenched procurement interests, does the government have what it takes to enforce its compliance at all levels? This is because Nigeria does not lack ideas for societal transformation; what has failed the country over the year is committed and visionary leadership.

One of such policies that comes to mind is the ‘Change Begins with Me,’ which was championed by the administration of former President Mohammadu Buhari. While the intentions were noble, it only ended up as a mantra as it failed to make any meaningful contribution towards national transformation.

The paradox of public policy implementation has continued to mar the realisation of public objectives in the country as most government policies either end prematurely, as they are sometimes purposely designed not to be properly implemented.

The success of this policy therefore, hinges on the commitment of our policymakers and political leaders to see it through by prioritising its implementation.

For me, former vice president Atiku Abubakar’s challenge to President Tinubu to trade his Escalade for Innoson, Nord or any made-in-Nigeria car, as well as end the practice of travelling abroad for medical treatment, highlights the need for, not just the president, but public office holders in general to lead by example to grow domestic businesses with ‘Nigeria First.’

It also underscores the importance of government officials demonstrating their commitment to national development through their personal choices, thereby encouraging wider adoption and investment in Nigerian products and services. This challenge also raises questions about the practical implementation and sincerity of the policy and whether truly it translates into tangible support for local businesses and infrastructure.

For the ‘Nigeria First’ to be effective, the government must also channel all its resources to ‘how’ – the crucial mechanism of policy implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. This is where the true test of any public policy lies, and where Nigeria frequently stumbles.

This policy must also not be designed in isolation. Crucial input must be gotten from critical stakeholders in the society, such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, and other operators in the export value chain. In addition, the formulation of this policy which we were told is still ongoing, must be informed by reliable data. This will allow for evidence-based choices and the ability to track progress and identify areas needing improvement.

From the foregoing, the Nigeria First policy, while noble in its intent, should not end up being just a slogan or political rhetoric. It must truly resonate with the people and bring about tangible transformation that will help the country withstand shocks and uncertainties in the global environment, due largely to Trump’s policies. Additionally, it must be backed by robust actions that address the underlying challenges facing the country and become a guiding principle for a prosperous future