NBTI Advocates for Legislation to Strengthen Local Content

• Reinforces MAN’s advocacy on local content and patronage of made in Nigeria products

National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has urged the National Assembly to enact Executive Orders 003 and 005 into law to ensure full compliance by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Executive Order 003, signed by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, mandates MDAs to prioritise local manufacturers and service providers in procurement.

Similarly, Executive Order 005, issued by former President Muhammadu Buhari, directs MDAs to promote science, technology, and innovation in achieving national development goals.

Speaking on the necessity of these Orders, Dr Kazeem Raji, director-general, NBTI emphasised the need for legal backing to enhance enforcement and compliance.

Raji noted that while Executive Orders remain in effect until revoked or ruled unlawful, transforming them into legislation would strengthen their implementation and enforcement.

Director-general, NBTI stressed that enacting these Orders as laws would drive the adoption of indigenous technology, increase patronage of local innovations, and enhance economic growth.

“If Executive Orders 003 and 005 become laws, capital flight will reduce, foreign reserves will increase, GDP will grow, and employment opportunities will expand. These Orders will no longer be ignored, as there will be legal consequences for non-compliance,” he stated.

He emphasised that institutionalising these policies through legislation would solidify the government’s commitment to boosting local production and supporting homegrown industries.

Gentechnews recall that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has continued to advocate for the implementation of Executive Orders 003 and 005 in various fora, at the 51st Annual General Meeting of the Association held on Thursday 19th October, 2023 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos as well as 52nd Annual General Meeting of MAN, held at Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, On October 22, 2024.

Gentechnews also recounts MAN has continued to promote the interest of manufacturers by deepening its advocacy and partnership with national and international economic actors in Government, Organized Private Sector, host communities and other stakeholders to foster its proactive role in policy formulation and implementation.

The President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otunba Francis Meshioye OFR in his address at the Adeola Odutola Lecture for the 51st Annual General Meeting of the Association held on Thursday 19th October, 2023 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, noted that the manufacturing sector in Nigeria has continued to innovate and improve in quality and product diversification, even in the face of daunting challenges.

Meshioye’s statement read in part: “Nigeria has a low local content adoption and patronage of made in Nigeria products. We urge His Excellency to ensure effective enforcement of local content and patronage regulations. This can be achieved by strict enforcement of local content laws, incentivizing local sourcing of raw materials, and innovation in the manufacturing sector. Also, the public sector at all levels should, as a matter of national importance, step up their compliance with existing government directive on patronage of made-in-Nigeria products, including Executive Orders 003 and 005.”

Gentechnews recall that Meshioye also made this declaration in his welcome address at the opening ceremony of the 3-days made in Nigeria Exhibition as part of the activities marking the 52nd Annual General Meeting of MAN, held at Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, On October 22, 2024.

Meshioye stressed: “We must not forget that our governments have made efforts to strengthen the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products. The promulgation of Executive Orders 003 and 005 affirms the government’s commitment to facilitating domestic production, as well as patronage of local products. However, the absence of effective implementation remains a major and unfortunate concern. We therefore call on all government ministries, departments, and agencies to fully comply with the Orders as further directed by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, a few months ago at the Nigerian Manufacturers Summit in the State House.”

He charged manufacturers to strive for improved patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products, adding that they must not let the quality and standards of what they produce slip to enable them to consistently win consumer trust.

MAN, he said, will continue to advocate for policies that promote increased patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products and the protection of the industries, adding that together, they can create an economy where Made-in-Nigeria products are the preferred choice in Nigeria and sought after in the international market.

Meshioye reiterated the call he made about a year ago, that the Federal Government should set aside a day on the national calendar as “Proudly Nigeria Day” noting that on such a day, all Nigerian, including officials in the ministries, departments and agencies of government, would be mandated to dress in made-in-Nigeria outfits and prioritize the purchase of products that are made in Nigeria.

This, he said, will encourage the production and consumption of Nigerian products, and boost job creation and contribute to gross domestic products.