Tinubu’s Import Ban Aims to Boost Local Industries and Strengthen the Economy
In order to revive Nigeria’s economy and support homegrown industries, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has announced a ban on the importation of foreign goods that can be produced locally. The decision has earned praise from several quarters, including Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South.
Speaking from Abuja, the former Senate Leader called the move a “major boost” for Nigerian businesses struggling to compete with a flood of cheaper and often substandard imports.
“This is a welcome and courageous decision by the President,” Ndume said. “If implemented properly, it will protect local producers, create jobs, and stimulate industrial growth. It’s a win for the Nigerian economy.”
According to Ndume, the ban, combined with proper support and incentives for local manufacturers could lead to significant economic benefits. These include higher employment rates, improved local production capacity, a stronger naira, and a reduction in the pressure on Nigeria’s foreign reserves, as fewer dollars will be needed for imports.
He also urged the government to go a step further by imposing heavy taxes on foreign alternatives. “This will push more Nigerians to support local products, helping our industries grow and compete globally,” he said.
The announcement, made by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, followed a Federal Executive Council meeting. Idris described the ban as part of the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy, designed to prioritize domestic growth and promote local content.
In a related move, the government also introduced restrictions on expatriates coming into the country to execute jobs that local professionals can handle, unless a valid justification is provided and approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement.
This shift in policy signals a strong focus on economic nationalism aiming to rebuild the Nigerian economy from within by putting local talent and industries first.