A political advocacy group has praised a decision by the Nigerian government requiring all state ministries, departments, and agencies to buy vehicles exclusively from licensed domestic assembly plants.

The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) described the directive—issued under President Bola Tinubu’s “Nigeria First” procurement strategy—as a vital measure to stimulate local manufacturing, attract investment, and generate employment.

Under the new policy, public bodies seeking to purchase imported vehicles must prove that no suitable domestic alternatives exist and obtain explicit presidential approval.

Purchases will also be cross-checked against a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system managed by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to prevent non-compliance.

Tapping into unused capacity

In a joint statement, TSF Chairman Ahmad Sajoh and Secretary Danjuma Sada highlighted that Nigeria’s automotive sector currently operates well below its full potential despite strong domestic demand.

“For too long, Nigeria has remained heavily dependent on imported vehicles despite possessing assembly facilities capable of meeting a significant part of the country’s needs,” the group said.

“Every vehicle purchased from a Nigerian assembly plant represents an opportunity to support employment, strengthen domestic supply chains, and retain economic value within the country.”

According to figures from the NADDC, Nigeria’s licensed assembly plants have a combined installed capacity to produce 370,520 vehicles annually, though actual output has historically been constrained by competition from cheap imports.

Calls for quality and regional adoption

The group urged the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the NADDC to enforce compliance across federal institutions while ensuring that local manufacturers maintain competitive pricing and high standards.

It also called on Nigeria’s 36 state governments to adopt similar procurement rules to create a larger, unified market for indigenous vehicle assemblers.

Addressing domestic vehicle manufacturers, the TSF stressed that sustained government patronage must be matched by strict adherence to international safety, durability, and after-sales service standards to build long-term consumer trust.