Tinubu Bans Importation of Locally Available Goods

President Bola Tinubu has introduced a new policy barring Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from purchasing foreign goods or services that are already available in Nigeria.

This was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during its meeting on Monday, stating that the move is aimed at boosting the local economy and promoting domestic production.

The policy, known as the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy, mandates that no MDA can procure foreign items without a written waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). The government says the policy will support local industries, reduce dependence on imports, and prioritize Nigerian-made goods and services in public procurement.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the fifth cabinet meeting in 2025, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that the new policy is to ensure that the country promote the home grown products.

“This policy 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,” he said.

To enforce the policy, the President has directed the Attorney General of the Federation to draft an executive order. The policy will become the foundation of the administration’s economic strategy, especially in areas such as industrialisation and import substitution.

The guideline States:

He enumerated the decisions that were approved by the Council which will be enforced immediately

“The Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP is to revise and enforce procurement rules that prioritise Nigerian-made goods and homegrown solutions across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“The BPP will create a comprehensive compliance mechanism to ensure all government procurements adhere to local content requirements.

“A regularly updated database of high-quality Nigerian suppliers will be maintained by the BPP and used as a reference for all procurement decisions.
Procurement officers currently deployed to various MDAs will be reverted to the BPP to ensure compliance and reduce undue influence or corruption.

“No MDA will be allowed to procure foreign goods or services already available locally without a written waiver from the BPP.

“Where foreign contracts are unavoidable, they must include provisions for technology transfer, local production, or capacity development in Nigeria.

“All MDAs are to immediately review and resubmit their procurement plans to align with the new policy directives. Breaches will result in disciplinary action and possible cancellation of the procurement process.”

Idris cited the ongoing importation of sugar despite the existence of the Nigerian Sugar Council and local producers as an example of the need for change.

“We continue to import sugar despite the existence of the Nigerian Sugar Council and several local producers. This policy will change that,” he said.

“Contractors will no longer be mere intermediaries sourcing foreign goods while Nigerian factories lie idle. Government money must now work for the Nigerian people.”

The policy is part of broader reforms by the Tinubu administration, including fuel subsidy removal, a new foreign exchange policy, and efforts to restore investor confidence.

“This is a major shift in government policy. It puts Nigeria – not foreign companies, not imports – at the heart of our national development,” the minister added.

VANGUARD