The Federal Government has said 2026 will signal the full rollout of the Nigeria First policy, moving the initiative from the planning stage to concrete, measurable implementation.
This was disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) in its 2026 Outlook Summary.
It said it will focus on practical measures to prioritise local production, cut reliance on imports and ensure that government spending directly supports domestic industrial capacity.
The Nigeria First policy is designed to make Nigerian-made goods and services the preferred choice in both public procurement and broader market demand.
According to the Ministry’s 2026 outlook, the goal is to move beyond rhetoric by embedding local preference into procurement systems, industrial planning and financing structures.
It stated that government purchasing will increasingly send clear demand signals to domestic manufacturers, encouraging them to expand capacity and meet quality standards required for both local and export markets.
Made-in-Nigeria campaign
The Ministry said it will implement the policy through a strengthened Made-in-Nigeria National Campaign.
This strategy will include promoting consumer confidence in locally produced goods, enforcing standards to ensure competitiveness, and systematically shifting procurement and market demand toward Nigerian producers.
It stated that the aim is to stimulate domestic value chains while improving product quality and industrial discipline.
Data-driven industrial planning
According to the ministry, a key component of the 2026 strategy is the creation of a National MSME Census to provide accurate data for planning and targeted incentives.
It said reliable data will replace informal estimates and help direct support where it is most needed, noting that industrial cluster development will also be prioritised.
The Ministry explained that shared infrastructure and logistics support will begin with pilot initiatives such as the Idu Industrial Park, helping businesses lower production costs and compete with imports.
Focus on strategic value chains
According to its outlook, the cotton, textile and garment (CTG) sector has been selected as a flagship value chain under the new framework.
The Ministry stated that it plans to coordinate demand, financing and production to rebuild the sector in a structured manner.
To support inclusive growth, it said dedicated long-term financing frameworks will also be introduced for women-led MSMEs, integrating them into priority industrial value chains.
Digital monitoring and coordination
To ensure accountability, the Ministry said it will deploy AI-enabled digital tools to monitor programme performance and strengthen regulatory coordination.
It assured that Industrial Revitalisation Working Group ministerial roundtables will continue to address constraints affecting local industries.
According to the Minister, Jumoke Oduwole, the emphasis for 2026 is on implementation and measurable outcomes, particularly increased production, higher exports and job creation.
“In 2026, we build on this foundation with a focus on delivering results through integration. The priority is to connect global and regional demand with Nigeria’s supply capacity and the capital required to scale it. This includes strengthening industrial clusters and Special Economic Zones, deepening AfCFTA implementation, and aligning investment with priority sectors and value chains.
“We will prioritise converting investment commitments into active projects, expanding export-ready production, and strengthening logistics and digital trade infrastructure to accelerate execution across priority value chains. This approach will translate opportunity into production and exports, and exports into jobs and prosperity,” she added.
Pinnacle Daily earlier reported that Nigeria recorded a 21 per cent surge in non-oil trade exports to $12.8 billion.
It had also reported that total capital importation rose to $21 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, representing a 75 per cent increase from the $12.3 billion recorded in the same period in 2024.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X
