Nigeria Orders MDAs to Buy Vehicles Only From Local Assemblers

Nigeria has directed all ministries, departments and agencies to procure vehicles exclusively from licensed local assemblers or their authorised retailers, under the Nigeria First Policy.

Speaking in Abuja, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, said the country’s assembly plants have an annual capacity of 370,520 vehicles.

Osanipin added that prioritising local manufacturers would create jobs, cut imports and support domestic component production.

“We are fundamentally shifting the Nigeria First Policy. All vehicles procured by ministries, departments and agencies, including project utility vehicles, must be sourced exclusively from licensed local assemblers or their authorised retailers,” Osanipin said.

“Also, no ministry, department or agency may procure a foreign-assembled vehicle unless it explicitly proves the absence of a domestic alternative and obtains direct presidential clearance.”

He said every vehicle supplied to the government must carry a traceable Vehicle Identification Number verified through the NADDC.

“Any supply outside licensed local assembly lines will attract immediate regulatory sanctions, including blacklisting and licence revocation,” he said.

The Bureau of Public Procurement warned assemblers that poor quality, inadequate after-sales support and policy violations would attract sanctions.

BPP Director-General Adebowale Adedokun urged manufacturers to invest in technology, quality control and maintenance services as the government seeks to build a competitive automotive industry.