The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has urged private-sector operators to take full advantage of the federal government’s Nigeria First Policy to support enterprise growth and strengthen the country’s economic resilience. This position was reinforced during a high-level virtual Knowledge Sharing Session themed Nigeria First Policy: Unlocking Opportunities for Businesses and the Economy, which brought together senior executives from various sectors across the country.
During the session, NECA reiterated its commitment to promoting business competitiveness through ongoing advocacy and collaboration with government agencies. The Nigeria First Policy is designed to prioritise local production, increase the participation of Nigerian companies in public procurement, and support backward integration across industries. Participants were given a detailed breakdown of how the policy aims to boost industrial capacity and reduce external vulnerabilities.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said the success of the policy depends largely on strong cooperation between the public and private sectors. He emphasised that businesses also have a responsibility to support the initiative. “The full potential of the Nigeria First Policy can only be realised if businesses proactively patronise locally made products, while the government continues to implement reforms that ease import dependency and stabilise the Naira,” Oyerinde said. He added that creating a more competitive and investor-friendly environment is critical, noting that local enterprises must lead efforts to drive industrialisation and value addition.
Government representatives at the session explained the objectives and operational structure of the policy. Olumuyiwa Ajayiade, director of the Industrial Development Department at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said the Nigeria First Policy aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on industrialisation, strengthening local content, and protecting the economy from global supply chain disruptions.
Adebowale Adedokun, director-general of the Bureau of Public Procurement, discussed the procurement and content requirements embedded in the policy. He said guidelines for implementation are being finalised and will be shared with NECA to enhance ongoing engagement with private-sector players. “The policy is designed to empower Nigerian businesses, improve product quality standards, and boost global competitiveness,” Adedokun noted.
From the private sector, Victoria Uwadoka, chairperson of NECA’s Committee on corporate communications and public affairs experts, highlighted the opportunities the policy creates, stressing that stronger participation could drive enterprise expansion, job creation, and wider economic transformation.
