NADDC, BPP sign policy document to strengthen ‘Nigeria First’ policy in automotive sector

THE National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Nigeria First policy in the automotive sector.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, described the policy as a landmark step in Nigeria’s industrial development.

He stated that Nigeria had long remained a consumer of foreign-made vehicles, a trend that he added had limited economic potential and hindered the growth of local automotive assemblers. However, under the Nigeria First policy, the country is now shifting the paradigm toward strengthening local production and industrial capacity.

The NADDC DG expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for introducing the policy and assured him that automotive manufacturers and regulators within the sector would ensure its successful implementation.

Osanipin also commended BPP for its support and commitment to seeing the policy through.

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According to him, the implementation of the policy was not merely about procurement but an economic imperative, saying that by mandating that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) prioritise locally assembled vehicles, the policy would achieve several critical objectives, including strengthening industrial capacity and creating jobs for Nigerians.

He assured that NADDC would ensure strict verification of eligible assemblers, maintain a rigorous and updated register of compliant manufacturers, and conduct the necessary due diligence to ensure that only genuine and verified assembly companies participate in government procurement, urging procurement entities to see the policy not as a burden but a commitment to national development.

“The NADDC understands the responsibility that comes with this mandate, and we are prepared to collaborate with Bureau of Public Procurement to ensure that eligibility of assemblers is strictly verified,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, thanked President Tinubu for giving a clear directive on the implementation of the Nigeria First policy.

He noted that since the directive was issued, both organisations have engaged in a series of activities, stakeholder consultations, and engagements to bring the Nigerian First Policy to reality within the automotive sector.

Adedokun mentioned that the signing of the agreement marks an important step in strengthening integrity, accountability, and the developmental impact of public procurement in Nigeria, especially with the implementation of the circular on the Nigerian First Policy in the automobile sector.

According to him, public procurement is now being more deliberately aligned with national economic priorities and the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting local production through public expenditure.

From a procurement perspective, the DG explained that the initiative was beyond policy intention and establishes enforceable compliance requirements for all procurement entities, but one that required procurement planning, bidding documentation, evaluation, contract awards, and contract management processes to reflect clear obligations on sourcing vehicles from eligible local assemblers approved by NADDC.

He further instructed that the circular strengthens the oversight functions of BPP, as automotive procurement must now be tied to verifiable eligibility, traceable Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) documentation, proper reporting, and where necessary, joint compliance reviews involving both BPP and NADDC.

He also warned that any false declaration, misrepresentation, or procurement undertaken outside the approved framework would attract sanctions in line with the Public Procurement Act and other applicable financial regulations.

Adedokun, therefore, called on all accounting officers, chief executives of government agencies, tender boards, procurement planning committees, and procurement departments to study the new policy and circular carefully and ensure full compliance.