Govt Renews Push For Local Content, Job Creation — Shettima

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to promoting local production as a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness.

Senator Shettima made the remark in Abuja at the Made in Naija Trade Exhibition organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Commerce.

Represented by his Special Adviser, Special Duties, Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar, the Vice President urged Nigerians to support locally produced goods, noting that doing so strengthens the naira, supports jobs, reduces reliance on imports, and promotes sustainable growth.

Senator Shettima highlighted government initiatives to strengthen local industries, including the establishment of special economic zones, reforms at ports, expanded access to financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the adoption of global-standard certification systems.

In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Dr Abbas Tajudeen, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s full support for policies that prioritise Nigerian-made goods.

Dr Abbas also highlighted the significance of the Nigeria First Policy, launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which mandated government ministries, agencies, and institutions to give priority to locally manufactured goods in all public procurement processes.

The Speaker stressed that full compliance is expected, noting that the exhibition itself is evidence of the policy being put into practice.

Chairman House Committee on Commerce, Ahmed Munir, said Nigeria stands on the brink of an industrial and economic rebirth driven by local manufacturing, innovation, and strong legislative support.

He noted that the focus on local content is projected to create over five million new jobs by 2030, shifting Nigerian youths from the unemployment line into factories, workshops, and innovation hubs across the country.

According to him, this shift represents not just economic growth, but the “restoration of the dignity of labour.”

Munir emphasized that substituting key imports with locally made alternatives remains central to stabilizing Nigeria’s foreign reserves.

He stated that by reducing dependency on foreign goods, the country could save up to $20 billion annually in foreign exchange, a move that aligns with the strategic priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The lawmaker described the non-oil sector’s expansion as “no longer aspirational, but a policy pillar,” noting that products made in Nigeria are expected to contribute an additional 5 percent to the country’s GDP within five years.”

Munir also highlighted ongoing legislative efforts under the 10th National Assembly, led by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, including work on the domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, which opens access to a $3.4 trillion market.

Other priority areas include establishing a national Weights and Measures Centre and strengthening regulatory frameworks that support industrial competitiveness.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji