The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the Federal Government to support Executive Orders 003 and 005 with enabling laws to make them more effective in stimulating domestic production.
In an exclusive interview with Vanguard, MAN Director General Segun Ajayi-Kadir recalled that the association’s push for increased patronage of Nigerian-made products in public procurement led to the issuance of the Executive Orders and the launch of the “Buy Naija Campaign” in 2017.
Challenges in Implementation
Ajayi-Kadir noted that there is currently no well-structured platform for monitoring, evaluation, and assessment of the effectiveness of these orders.
Understanding the Orders
- Executive Order 003: Requires all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize local manufacturers and service providers in procurement.
- Executive Order 005: Directs MDAs to engage indigenous professionals in the planning, design, and execution of national security projects, maximizing in-country capacity in all contracts involving science, technology, and engineering.
Recommendations for Government Action
Ajayi-Kadir emphasized:
- The government should back the orders with enabling laws.Funds should be deliberately released to pay staff and contractors to enhance local purchasing power.
- A sustainable platform should be created to educate the public on patronizing locally manufactured products.
- MDAs must comply with the orders through a guided monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
- Critical stakeholders should regularly assess implementation to ensure effectiveness.
Potential Economic Impact
MAN believes that the three tiers of government, as the largest spenders in the Nigerian economy, can drive manufacturing growth and increase GDP contributions by intentionally procuring locally made goods.
Ajayi-Kadir added:
“Imagine the spiral effects on the performance of the Textiles and Wearing Apparel industry if the armed forces, the police, correctional service, immigration, and schools are directed to use textiles produced in Nigeria!”
