The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has called on Nigerians to support Made-in-Nigeria products, emphasizing that increased patronage will boost the nation’s economy and create more jobs.
Speaking at a Strategic Focus Group Meeting in Abeokuta, Babajide Sawyerr from NASENI’s Lagos office stressed that poor demand for locally made goods negatively impacts economic growth and contributes to rising unemployment. The event gathered manufacturers, SMEs, academia, and industry leaders to discuss ways to enhance local production and promote Nigerian-made products.
Sawyerr highlighted NASENI’s ongoing efforts, including collaborations with industries, signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and empowering skilled labor, to strengthen local manufacturing. He urged Nigerians to change their perception of domestic products and support local industries.
Echoing this sentiment, Hadiza Kashiat, Head of Product and Marketing at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), said many Made-in-Nigeria goods are of high quality but suffer from negative perceptions. She pointed out that Nigerian products, such as lubricants, ginger, and palm oil, are often rebranded abroad and sold under foreign labels.
Kashiat urged Nigerians to emulate China’s economic model, which prioritized local production and consumption to achieve global industrial dominance.
Additionally, Ibrahim Idris of NACCIMA identified key challenges hindering industrial growth, including high energy costs, forex volatility, lack of research funding, and substandard goods.
Stakeholders at the meeting called for government support, improved funding for research, and stronger policies to promote Made-in-Nigeria products and strengthen the country’s economic resilience.
