The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council have called on Nigerians to support local manufacturers by patronising Made-in-Nigeria goods and services, stressing that a negative perception remains a major obstacle to promoting indigenous products.
Speaking at the Strategic Focus Group Meeting on Made-in-Nigeria Products in Abeokuta on Tuesday, Babajide Sawyerr from NASENI’s Lagos Office said the engagement aligns with the agency’s mandate to drive economic growth through increased local patronage.
“This focus group meeting brings together stakeholders—the manufacturers, academia, SMEs, and industry leaders—to explore ways to boost the productivity and acceptance of Made-in-Nigeria products,” he said.
Sawyerr noted that addressing the stigma surrounding local goods requires a collective effort.
“Yes, Nigerian-made products face challenges of stigmatisation, but we are working with relevant stakeholders to change this perception. The truth is, many Nigerian products are of high quality, and we should patronise them to strengthen the economy,” he added.
Also speaking, Hadiza Kashiat from the NEPC emphasized that negative perception remains the biggest challenge to the acceptance of Nigerian-made products.
She stated, “We need to change our mindset and appreciate our locally produced goods. Many Nigerian products are exported and rebranded under foreign labels, yet we refuse to acknowledge their quality.
“For instance, Nigerian lubricants rank among the best globally. Our ginger and sesame seeds are in high demand, and Malaysia still exports palm oil from Nigeria due to its superior quality. This shows that we have excellent products, but we must also encourage those that need improvement rather than dismissing them altogether.”
Kashiat urged Nigerians to learn from China, which prioritised its local industry to achieve economic dominance.
“China did not grow by abandoning its local products. At some point, the country locked its economy to develop its industries. Nigeria must do the same by supporting its manufacturers and consuming what we produce,” she said.
Similarly, Ibrahim Idris from the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture identified high energy costs, forex volatility, poor research funding in universities, and the production of substandard goods as factors hampering the country’s industrial growth.
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