President Tinubu Import Ban: President Bola Tinubu has introduced a comprehensive policy that prohibits Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from purchasing foreign goods or services that are already available locally, unless they obtain a written waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
The President also imposed restrictions on the use of expatriates for tasks that can be performed by Nigerian contractors or artisans, requiring compelling justification and explicit approval from the BPP. The policy, unveiled on Monday, May 5, followed a Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, outlined the key aspects of the initiative.
Titled the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy, the program aims to boost the domestic economy, enhance local content, and reduce the nation’s reliance on imports. Idris described it as a major shift in Nigeria’s economic direction, drawing parallels to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach.
“The Nigeria First Policy centers our public procurement and business activities on national priorities, focusing on strengthening local industries,” Idris stated. “It promotes a bold, self-reliant, and proudly Nigerian business culture.”
To institutionalize the policy, the Attorney General of the Federation has been instructed to draft an Executive Order.
Still on President Tinubu Import Ban
Key elements of the new policy include:
Revised procurement rules: The BPP will implement new guidelines prioritizing Nigerian-made goods and locally provided services across all MDAs.
Compliance mechanisms: A monitoring framework will ensure all procurement activities align with local content mandates.
Supplier database: The BPP will maintain an updated list of qualified Nigerian suppliers to guide procurement decisions.
Centralized oversight: MDA procurement officers will now report directly to the BPP to ensure transparency and prevent corruption.
Mandatory waivers: No foreign goods or services may be procured without BPP approval if they are available within Nigeria.
Technology transfer: Where foreign contracts are unavoidable, they must include provisions for building local capacity, production, or technology transfer.
“All MDAs are required to revise and resubmit their procurement plans to comply with this policy. Any violations will attract disciplinary measures and could lead to the cancellation of procurement processes,” Idris warned.
He cited the continued importation of sugar—despite the existence of a functioning Sugar Council and several domestic producers—as an example of inefficiency the policy aims to eliminate.
“Government spending must benefit Nigerians,” he said. “Contractors will no longer act merely as intermediaries importing foreign goods while local factories remain idle.”
The Nigeria First Policy is the latest addition to the Tinubu administration’s economic reform agenda, which includes fuel subsidy removal, a revised foreign exchange regime, and measures to attract investment.
While officials admit that implementation may face resistance, they stressed the government’s resolve to enforce the policy rigorously.
“This is a foundational change. It puts Nigeria—not imports or foreign entities—at the core of our national development,” Idris concluded.
A Nigerian man has been apprehended in India for drug trafficking.
Would you like to Earn Money Online with just your mobile device?
If yes then click on the link below:
https://earnbean.ng/
