By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

Economic experts have called on the Federal Government to enforce a “Nigeria First” policy that will legally mandate the patronage of locally made goods and services, warning that failure to do so would leave the country vulnerable to increasing import dependence and economic instability.

Speaking during a national television programme monitored by Weekend Hope, the Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said local patronage must go beyond rhetoric and become a binding legal obligation.

He spoke on the theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Manufacturing Potential: Strategies for Sustainable Growth Amid Economic Turbulence”, stressing that the Nigeria First policy should be enshrined in law to make it enforceable and transparent across all sectors.

“This is critical to give the policy legal standing, ensuring public awareness, and enforceability across government institutions and the private sector,” he said.

Ajayi-Kadir argued that there should be sanctions for any CEO or head of organisation that fails to comply with the local content directive. “There must be consequences. Supporting local content and developing value chains must be a shared responsibility between government and the private sector,” he added.

He warned that continued neglect of Nigeria’s domestic industry would keep the country perpetually dependent on foreign economies.

His position comes on the heels of the recent unveiling of the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy by President Bola Tinubu. The policy mandates federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to give priority to locally made goods and services in public procurement.

Echoing similar sentiments, a manufacturer, Adewole Adebayo, said Nigeria must move beyond policy talk to firm implementation. He advocated for stronger incentives for backward integration, enforcement of local content laws, and the development of robust industrial linkages to strengthen domestic sourcing.

Adebayo told Weekend Hope that increased local patronage would not only stimulate demand for Nigerian-made products but also enhance manufacturing output and reduce export rejection rates.

“A strong domestic market will create a platform for international recognition. If we’re consistent in producing quality made-in-Nigeria products, we can even export items like cigarettes within Africa to generate forex without running to banks,” he said.

He stressed the need to create an enabling environment to make Nigerian goods competitive globally, which would in turn boost investor confidence and economic growth.

However, an economist, Dr. Taiwo Owoeye, pointed out that the road to local patronage is riddled with challenges. He listed key obstacles such as poor consumer purchasing power, inflation, rising production costs, and the influx of substandard and smuggled goods.

Owoeye said the surge in unsold finished goods is a direct consequence of weak consumer demand and economic hardship.

“When people can barely afford essentials, they won’t prioritise locally made goods. Until we address inflation and improve household income, demand for domestic products will remain low,” he said.

The experts agreed that without deliberate efforts to boost local demand and protect domestic industries, the goal of industrialisation and economic diversification will remain elusive