Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to place a ban on certain foreign goods, describing it as a crucial step toward reviving Nigeria’s local industries.
In a statement released Tuesday in Abuja, the former Senate Chief Whip backed the presidential directive, which instructs all federal ministries, departments, and agencies to prioritize Nigerian-made goods, services, and expertise in their spending.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, following Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa.
Idris emphasized that the policy aims to ensure that “Nigeria is at the centre of every kobo” spent by the government.
Reacting to the development, Ndume said the decision would significantly benefit local entrepreneurs, enhance economic growth, and provide jobs for citizens.
He “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.”
He further stressed the importance of faithful implementation, noting its potential to protect domestic producers from being overwhelmed by foreign competitors.
“If implemented faithfully, 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,” he said.
According to the senator, supporting local industries through such policy will help curb unemployment, increase the Gross Domestic Product, and strengthen the naira by reducing pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
“With protection of local industries, there will be employment for our employable youths, the measure will also boost our Gross Domestic Product and the value of 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,” Ndume added.
He also urged the government to complement the ban by introducing steep tariffs on foreign items that can be made locally, discouraging their consumption.
“The Federal Government should seek to impose heavy taxes on some of the foreign goods to discourage Nigerians from buying them instead of picking locally produced items,” he concluded.
