NADDC, BPP Sign Pact To Prioritise Locally Assembled Vehicles In Government Procurement

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) have signed an agreement to enforce the federal government’s “Nigeria First” policy, in a move aimed at reshaping procurement practices and strengthening local industrial capacity.

The agreement was signed on Friday at the BPP headquarters in Abuja, formalising a framework that will require Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise locally assembled vehicles in government procurement.

Speaking after the signing, NADDC Director-General, Joseph Osanipin, said the policy represents a decisive shift in Nigeria’s economic and industrial strategy.

He described the initiative as an “economic imperative” designed to create jobs, deepen local manufacturing, and retain value within the Nigerian economy.

Osanipin said the policy goes beyond procurement rules, arguing that it is intended to rebuild the country’s automotive value chain and strengthen domestic production capacity.

“For too long, our nation has been a consumer of foreign-made automotive products, a trend that has limited our economic potential and hindered the growth of our local assemblers.

“Today, under the guidance of the Nigeria First Policy, we are fundamentally shifting that paradigm,” he added.

He said the framework would stimulate investment in vehicle assembly plants, expand technical expertise, and strengthen supporting infrastructure such as service centres across the country.

According to him, local procurement will also ensure that government spending on vehicles circulates within the domestic economy, rather than being repatriated abroad.

“Every vehicle procured locally creates jobs for Nigerians and ensures that the wealth generated through public expenditure remains within our economy,” he said.

Osanipin added that compliance would be strictly enforced, noting that the council would deploy verification systems, including Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) tracking, to ensure traceability and standards compliance.

He said only assemblers with verifiable operations would be eligible for government contracts, adding that NADDC would maintain a register of compliant firms and work closely with the BPP to conduct due diligence.

“To the procuring entities, I urge you to see this not as a regulatory burden but as a commitment to national development,” he said.

He added that the Council would also provide capacity-building support to help stakeholders adjust to the new procurement framework.

Osanipin commended the BPP for its collaboration on the initiative, describing the agreement as a foundation for building a more resilient and self-sustaining automotive sector.

“In conclusion, procurement is a powerful tool for economic engineering. By choosing to buy Nigerian, we are not just acquiring vehicles; we are investing in the Nigerian dream,” he said.