About Made in Nigeria

Brief History of the “Made in Nigeria” Project

The “Made in Nigeria” project began in 2006 when the National Coordinator and Executive Director met Ambassador Chike Alex Anigbo, MNI, during the Nigeria-Singapore Economic Forum. In 2009, Ambassador Anigbo was appointed the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) in Abuja, during Senator Pius Anyim’s tenure as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

During this period, efforts were initiated to establish a campaign to sensitize Nigerians to promote, support, and patronize locally made products. This campaign was approved at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting and was incorporated into the policies of the OSGF. The official endorsement came on February 1, 2017, and Trade Nigeria was invited to cooperate in this initiative as a joint public-private partnership project.

Ambassador Chike Alex Anigbo retired after serving as the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office. He was succeeded by Engr. Anthony Ozodinobi, who took over after the successful Nigeria-Ireland Economic Forum and the Nigeria at 50 event—both serving as test cases for the partnership.

The paperwork and legal framework for the project took some time to solidify. Ambassador Olukunle Bamgbose later assumed the role of Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office. Under his leadership, the second test case, the Nigeria-South Korea Economic Forum in Seoul, Korea, was held in 2017 in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). Ambassador Bamgbose then handed over to Ambassador Gabriel Adudua, who, along with Dr. Mrs. Maduka as the Director of the International Organizations Department (IOD), facilitated the third test case—the Nigeria-Singapore Economic Forum in 2019, which was another success.

Mr. Andrew Adejo took over the Political and Economic Affairs Office from 2019 to 2022. He oversaw the fourth test case, the Nigeria-Poland Economic Forum, which was yet another successful venture. During his tenure, Mr. Adejo began laying the groundwork for the public-private partnership paperwork.

Subsequently, Mr. Adejo handed over to Mr. Shehu Ibrahim, who was later succeeded by Ms. Nko Etuabana. Ms. Etuabana finalized the process by signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 6, 2023, formally establishing the Made in Nigeria Project Office in Abuja under the OSGF.

What Does "Made in Nigeria" Mean?

The term “Made in Nigeria” signifies products that are either entirely produced using locally sourced raw materials and packaging or manufactured locally with some imported components. This distinction impacts the local economy and industry sustainability.

100% Locally Sourced Products: These products are made from materials entirely sourced and processed within Nigeria. For example, a soap company that uses locally grown herbs, locally produced packaging, and local labor.

Locally Produced with Imported Components: These items are manufactured in Nigeria but incorporate imported raw materials due to local supply limitations or quality requirements. For instance, a furniture company might use local wood but import specialized hardware.

Importance of Distinction:

  • Economic Impact: Products made with 100% local materials directly boost the local economy by supporting local suppliers and creating jobs.
  • Sustainability: Local sourcing reduces carbon footprints, supports sustainable practices, and utilizes domestic resources more efficiently.
  • Value Chain Development: Promotes growth across various sectors, including farming, manufacturing, and distribution.
  • Quality and Control: While imports can offer unique features, local sourcing enhances control over quality and reduces dependency on external markets.

Government’s Role in Promoting Made-in-Nigeria Products

Federal Government:

  • Policy Formulation: Implement policies that prioritize local industries and protect them from unfair competition. For example, increasing tariffs on imported goods to encourage domestic alternatives.
  • Incentives: Offer tax breaks or subsidies to manufacturers using local materials. For instance, subsidies for textile producers sourcing from local cotton farms.
  • Financial Support: Encourage financial institutions to provide favorable loans and grants to indigenous businesses, particularly SMEs in agriculture or manufacturing.

State and Local Governments:

  • Infrastructure Development: Improve roads, electricity, and other infrastructure to support local industries. Develop industrial parks to foster industry clusters, such as a textile manufacturing park offering affordable land and utilities.
  • Business Environment: Create favorable conditions for local businesses by promoting collaboration and innovation within industry clusters.
  • Procurement Policies: Prioritize the purchase of locally produced goods for government projects to stimulate demand. For example, sourcing government uniforms from local garment manufacturers to support and standardize local industry.