NADDC And BPP Sign Strategic Document On Implementation Of First Nigeria Policy As Osanipin Lauds Tinubu On The Initiative

The National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, and the Bereau of Public Procurement, BPP have signed a strategic document on the implementation of First Nigeria Policy which is an initiative of President Bola Tinubu.

The signing of the document is aimed at strengthening the collaborative engagement between the two Agencies towards ensuring proper implementation of the First Nigeria Policy in the area of procurement of made – in – Nigeria vehicles by the public sector.

Speaking during the signing in Abuja, the Director General/CEO of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Osanipin said for too long, Nigeria has been a consumer of foreign-made
automotive products, a trend which he stated has limited the country’s economic potential
and hindered the growth of the nation’s local assemblers.

” Today, under the
guidance of the Nigeria First Policy, we are fundamentally shifting that
paradigm and the implementation of this policy is not merely about procurement; it
is an economic imperative” Otunba Oluwemimo Osanipin said

According to him, by mandating that all Ministries,
Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) prioritize vehicles assembled within
our borders, we are achieving several critical objectives which include:
I. Strengthening Industrial Capacity: We are moving beyond simple
assembly to foster a robust ecosystem that supports functional
assembly lines, skilled technical personnel, service centres and the
development of local infrastructure

Job Creation and Value Retention: Every vehicle procured locally
creates jobs for Nigerians and ensures that the wealth generated
through public expenditure remains within our economy,
promoting domestic value retention
III. National Pride and Standards: By enforcing the use of traceable
Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and verifying compliance
through the NADDC, we are ensuring that “Nigerian-made” is
synonymous with quality, reliability, and international standards.

In his words “The NADDC understands the responsibility that comes with this
mandate and we are fully prepared to collaborate with the Bureau of Public
Procurement (BPP) to ensure that the eligibility of assemblers is strictly
verified”.

“We will maintain a rigorous, updated register of compliant
assemblers, and we will conduct the necessary due diligence to ensure
that only those with genuine, verifiable assembly operations participate
in government contracts” He explained

The Director General of NADDC therefore urged Procuring Entities to see the policy not as a regulatory
burden, but as a commitment to national development.

” Accounting
Officers must ensure that procurement plans are aligned with these new
directives, as full compliance is now a statutory requirement because we are here to provide the capacity-building support needed to navigate these new
procedures, including guidance on verification and VIN traceability”

“In Conclusion, let us be clear: 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, the Nigerian
worker, and our collective sustainable future”.

Otunba Oluwemimo Osanipin commended the Bureau of Public Procurement for its unwavering
dedication to the cause adding that the two Agencies are laying the foundation for a
resilient, self-sustaining automotive sector.

On his part, the Director General of Bereau of Public Procurement, BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun said the Nigeria First Policy which would cover other sectors such as ICT, Textile and Apparel, Furniture among others stated that automotive sector rank highest on full adherence to the policy.

Dr Adebowale Adedokun said the policy would bring about intergrity and accountability impact on public procurement and support local production through public expenditure.

While stressing that BPP would work closely with NADDC to ensure full and effective implementation of the policy towards growing Nigeria’s industry, Dr Adebowale Adedokun called for the support of MDAs and other stakeholders towards actualizing the objectives of the policy in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu on job and wealth creation as well as national economic development.