President Tinubu bans procurement of foreign goods produced locally

President Tinubu bans procurement of foreign goods produced locally

President Bola Tinubu has introduced a sweeping ban on has initiated a coverage that bars the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, from purchasing overseas items or offerings already to be had regionally with out a written waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP.

The President additionally located regulations on using expatriates for jobs that may be carried out through Nigerian contractors or artisans, except there’s a compelling justification and specific approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

The coverage turned into unveiled on Monday, May five following a Federal Executive Council assembly chaired through the President on the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, briefed newshounds at the coverage ’s middle details.

Dubbed the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy, the initiative targets to bolster the home economy, sell nearby content material , and decrease Nigeria’s dependence on overseas imports. Idris defined it as a transformative shift withinside the united states of america ’s financial approach, likening it to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine.

“The Nigeria First Policy locations our united states of america on the middle of public procurement and commercial enterprise activity, with a sturdy attention on empowering nearby industries,” Idris said. “It is designed to foster a brand new commercial enterprise subculture this is bold, confident, and uniquely Nigerian.”

To supply the coverage criminal backing, the Attorney General of the Federation has been directed to draft an Executive Order.

Key directives below the brand new coverage encompass :

Revised procurement rules: The BPP will put in force new suggestions that prioritise Nigerian-made items and homegrown offerings throughout all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Compliance mechanism: A sturdy tracking device will make sure authorities procurement aligns with nearby content material requirements.

Supplier database: The BPP will preserve an up to date listing of exceptional Nigerian providers because the default reference for procurement.

Centralised procurement oversight: Procurement officials throughout MDAs will now document at once to the BPP to cut back undue have an effect on and corruption.

Mandatory waivers: No MDA may also procure overseas items or offerings already to be had regionally with out a written waiver from the BPP.

Technology transfer: Foreign contracts deemed unavoidable should encompass provisions for nearby ability building, production, or era transfer.

“All MDAs should assessment and resubmit their procurement plans in step with this coverage . Breaches will entice disciplinary motion and feasible cancellation of the procurement process,” Idris warned.

He noted Nigeria’s persisted importation of sugar regardless of a functioning Sugar Council and numerous home manufacturers as a high instance of inefficiency the coverage seeks to eliminate.

“Government cash should now paintings for the Nigerian people,” he said. “Contractors will now no longer be allowed to behave as mere intermediaries uploading overseas items at the same time as Nigerian factories continue to be underutilised.”

The Nigeria First Policy is the modern in a sequence of financial reforms below the Tinubu administration, which encompass subsidy removals, a brand new forex framework, and investor self belief initiatives.

Officials renowned the coverage may also face resistance and implementation demanding situations however insist the authorities is dedicated to strict enforcement.

“This marks a essential shift. It locations Nigeria— now no longer overseas agencies or imports— on the coronary heart of our country wide development,” the minister concluded.