Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, has defended the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy, insisting that ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) must prioritise vehicles assembled in Nigeria to boost local manufacturing, create jobs and conserve foreign exchange.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily yesterday, Osanipin said the policy is designed to ensure that government spending directly supports Nigeria’s industrial growth, particularly the automotive sector, which he described as a catalyst for multiple industries including steel, plastics, textiles and technology.

According to him, the Federal Government spends significant amounts annually on vehicle procurement, and redirecting those purchases to locally assembled vehicles would stimulate economic activity, expand employment opportunities and strengthen the country’s manufacturing base.

Osanipin explained that the implementation framework is being driven through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), which will require government agencies seeking procurement approvals to source vehicles from a list of approved local assemblers.

“We are not choosing the brand for any agency, but the vehicles must come from companies assembling in Nigeria. If there is a local substitute, government funds should be used to buy that vehicle,” he said.

The NADDC boss noted that the policy applies across federal MDAs, including the National Assembly and other government institutions, except in cases involving specialised vehicles that cannot currently be produced locally.

He acknowledged concerns raised during the programme about whether top government officials, including the President, would also comply with the policy. Osanipin explained that certain highly specialised or security-equipped vehicles may be exempted because of their unique requirements.

However, he maintained that such exemptions would be limited and would not undermine the overall objective of promoting local vehicle production.

He stressed that Nigeria already has the capacity to assemble a wide range of vehicles required by government, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), passenger cars, pick-up trucks and commercial buses.

According to him, local manufacturers are also making progress in the production of specialised security and armoured vehicles, with firms such as Proforce already supplying security-related vehicles assembled in the country.

Osanipin said the policy will initially focus on federal government procurement before engagement begins with state governments and the private sector.

He also disclosed that NADDC has strengthened collaboration with vehicle importers and dealers through a registration platform designed to improve oversight of vehicle imports and dealership operations nationwide.

On enforcement, the DG said compliance would be monitored primarily by the BPP through procurement approvals, annual procurement reports and post-procurement verification processes.

He warned that agencies that fail to comply with the policy could face sanctions, including restrictions on future vehicle procurement approvals.

“The idea is simple: consume what we produce and produce what we consume. Government must lead by example if we want to build a sustainable automotive industry in Nigeria,” Osanipin said.

The Nigeria First policy is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to deepen local content, reduce import dependence and accelerate industrial development through increased patronage of made-in-Nigeria products.