Nigeria First Policy: Customs Assures Local Vehicle Manufacturers Of Patronage

In compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s Nigeria First policy, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has pledged that the service will continue to patronise and support the indigenous auto sector for the growth and well-being of the nation’s industrial economy.

This was disclosed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, when he inspected vehicles produced by members of the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) in the Service’s headquarters, Abuja.

This as the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy,” describing it as a bold step toward accelerating Nigeria’s industrial revolution and economic growth.

NASENI’s executive vice chairman and CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, commended the policy’s prioritisation of locally made goods and indigenous solutions in government procurement, adding that the directive would empower local entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and technology innovators by giving them the necessary support to thrive.

On his part, the Customs CG after the NAMA inspection, commended the association for turning up in full strength and expressed satisfaction with the quality of the vehicles.

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“In terms of aesthetics, I am satisfied with what I see here. In terms of functionality, we have been assured by the manufacturers that the vehicles are quite efficient. What gives me joy is that in all the vehicles I have seen today, there is an imprint of Nigeria, which shows that they are fully assembled here. It gives me joy that Mr President’s policy is on the right course,” he added.

The Customs boss further praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Nigeria First policy initiative in the automobile industry.

He pledged that the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to patronise and support the sector for the growth and well-being of the nation’s industrial economy.

Responding, chairman, chief executive officer of Cedric Masters Group, Ilekuba Anslem, commended the CGC for his unwavering support for the automobile industry.

Also, chairman and chief executive officer of Nord Automobile Limited, Oluwatobi Ajayi, praised the CGC, stating, “Even before this policy was announced, you had been championing made-in-Nigeria vehicles. With Mr President’s announcement, we are confident that you will be the first CEO of a government parastatal to fully champion this policy.”

He assured the CGC that the company would not abandon its vehicles after sales.

Similarly, a director at Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited (IVM), Jonas Ojukwu, assured the Nigeria Customs Service of the company’s commitment to delivering the best to the Service. Other stakeholders who spoke at the event included representatives from Mikano Motors Nigeria and Stallion Motors Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the NASENI EVC noted that “with Mr. President’s directive to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to revise and enforce guidelines in favour of local suppliers, we anticipate a significant increase in patronage of Nigerian-made products.”

“Government is a major buyer of goods and services, and this move will translate into increased demand across key sectors,” Halilu stated on Sunday.

Describing the policy as “forward-thinking and revolutionary,”  Halilu noted that NASENI has long championed local content through its own initiatives. He highlighted products developed by the agency, ranging from Nigerian-assembled vehicles and energy systems to smart irrigation tools and electronic devices, as evidence of the quality and competitiveness of local manufacturing.

He further referenced NASENI’s ongoing Made-in-Nigeria Strategic Focus Group meetings held across the country, aimed at driving awareness and understanding of consumer attitudes toward local products. These forums bring together experts, regulators, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and civil society actors to identify challenges and promote solutions for increasing local patronage.

“We are determined to be at the forefront of implementing the President’s vision,” Mr. Halilu stated. “But this is also a call to action for local producers. It is not enough to enjoy policy support, quality and standards must never be compromised. We must deliver products that compete favourably with imports and meet the needs of Nigerian consumers.”

NASENI, mandated to develop Nigeria’s science and engineering infrastructure, has been engaging stakeholders across states including Katsina, Lagos, Anambra, Delta, Kano, Kaduna, and Ogun to boost innovation, address manufacturing challenges, and encourage the adoption of homegrown solutions.

President Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy” directs the BPP to implement procurement reforms that prioritize local content and maintain a register of qualified Nigerian manufacturers and service providers.

Halilu concluded by affirming NASENI’s readiness to lead the charge: “We have seen the capacity and competence of our local manufacturers. They are ready. With the right support, we can achieve true industrialisation powered by Nigerian solutions.”