Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has voiced his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent directive aimed at restricting the importation of foreign-made goods.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, Senator Ndume commended the President’s decision, characterizing it as a strategic policy shift designed to revitalize the domestic economy.
The federal government, under President Tinubu’s leadership, has mandated that all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) prioritize the procurement of Nigerian-made products and services.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, communicated this policy update to journalists at the State House following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday. According to Idris, this directive seeks to ensure that “Nigeria is at the centre of every kobo” spent by the federal government.
Senator Ndume, in his response, described the move as a commendable step towards empowering local industries and strengthening the national economy.
He stated, “It is heartwarming to hear that President Tinubu has taken this bold decision to ban imported goods that can be produced locally. This will be a major boost for indigenous businesses amid the slipping Nigerian economy.”
“If implemented faithfully,” Ndume continued, “it will shield our local producers striving to find their feet from being choked out of existence by established foreign investors who flood our market, unhindered, with goods that are cheaper and even substandard.”
“With protection of local industries, there will be employment for our employable youths,” the Senator emphasized. “The measure will also boost our Gross Domestic Product, and the value of the Naira will appreciate, as there will be less strain on our foreign reserves, since the demand for foreign exchange by importers of such foreign goods would drastically reduce.”
Senator Ndume further urged federal authorities to consider imposing steep levies on select imported products. He believes this would discourage citizens from choosing foreign alternatives over Nigerian-made goods.
