The President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Francis Meshioye, and the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, have both stressed the critical need for the Federal Government to reinforce the ‘Nigeria First’ policy with enabling legislation.

This legislation, they argue, must ensure the policy is enforced consistently across all government ministries, departments, and agencies.

Both leaders delivered their message yesterday in Lagos at the 5th Adeola Oduntola Lecture/Presidential Luncheon, which was held as part of MAN’s 53rd Annual General Meeting and focused on the theme, “Prioritising Made-in-Nigeria.”

In his opening remarks, Meshioye asserted that the effective implementation of the industrial policy is absolutely key and “must be carried out without hesitation.”

He suggested that compliance should be rigorously tied to performance metrics and monitored by either an established body or an empowered and well-resourced National Bureau of Procurement. Meshioye also emphasized the urgent need to allocate and operationalize a ₦1 trillion stabilization fund specifically for manufacturers.

He framed the policy as a national necessity, stating: “The Nigeria First policy is not merely a call to action, it is a national imperative.”

He underscored the long-term stakes: “The future of our manufacturing sector, and indeed our economic sovereignty, depends on our collective resolve to prioritise local value creation, enforce supportive policies, and invest boldly in our industrial base.”

Meanwhile, Aliko Dangote, the Guest Speaker at the event, appealed directly to the government to prioritize the ‘Nigeria First’ policy with the aim of deepening the manufacturing sector.

Dangote, whose message was delivered by the President of the Pan African Manufacturers Association, Engr. Ahmed Mansur, noted that manufacturing is central to any nation’s economic growth, asserting that its growth has a greater multiplier effect on the country’s GDP than any other sector.

This makes it essential for Nigeria to prioritize policies that actively support the deepening of its manufacturing sector.

He described the ‘Nigeria First’ policy as forward-looking, representing an appeal for industrial self-sufficiency, economic resilience, and greater competitiveness in the global market.

Dangote further detailed the necessary conditions for the policy’s success: “For the Nigeria first policy to work, it must be designed as a durable, binding national strategy for industrial development, capable of withstanding political transitions and market pressure alike. It should be anchored on both global best practices and Nigeria’s own industrial realities.”