NADDC, BPP Sign Strategic Agreement to Enforce Nigeria First Policy on Locally Assembled Vehicles

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) have signed a strategic document on the implementation of the Nigeria First Policy, an initiative introduced by President Bola Tinubu.

The agreement is aimed at strengthening collaboration between both agencies to ensure the proper implementation of the policy, particularly in the procurement of made-in-Nigeria vehicles by the public sector.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abuja, the Director General/CEO of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Osanipin, said Nigeria had for many years depended heavily on foreign-made automotive products, a development he noted had limited the nation’s economic potential and slowed the growth of local vehicle assemblers.
According to him, the Nigeria First Policy is designed to change that narrative.
“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,” Osanipin stated.
He explained that by directing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize vehicles assembled within Nigeria, the government would achieve several important objectives.
These, he said, include strengthening industrial capacity by promoting functional assembly lines, skilled manpower, service centres and local infrastructure development.
Osanipin also noted that local procurement would create jobs for Nigerians and ensure that wealth generated through public spending remains within the country, thereby encouraging domestic value retention.
He further stated that enforcing the use of traceable Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and ensuring compliance through NADDC would guarantee that Nigerian-made vehicles meet quality, reliability and international standards.
“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,” he said.
He added that the council would maintain an updated register of compliant assemblers and carry out proper due diligence to ensure that only genuine and verifiable assembly companies participate in government contracts.
The NADDC boss urged procuring entities to view the policy not as a 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. We are here to provide the capacity-building support needed to navigate these new procedures, including guidance on verification and VIN traceability,” he said.
Osanipin stressed that procurement remains a strong tool for economic development.
“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,” he added.
He also commended the Bureau of Public Procurement for its commitment to the initiative, noting that both agencies are laying the foundation for a resilient and self-sustaining automotive sector.
In his remarks, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, said the Nigeria First Policy would also cover sectors such as ICT, textile and apparel, furniture and others, adding that the automotive sector currently ranks highest in compliance with the policy.
Dr. Adedokun said the initiative would improve integrity and accountability in public procurement while supporting local production through government expenditure.
He assured that the BPP would continue to work closely with NADDC to ensure the effective implementation of the policy towards industrial growth in Nigeria.
He also called on MDAs and other stakeholders to support the initiative in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on job creation, wealth generation and national economic development.