Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called for the prioritisation of local content and promotion of made-in-Nigeria products.

Shettima spoke while declaring open the three-day National Manufacturing Summit 2024 at the Banquet Hall of the presidential villa on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said Executive Order 003 which makes the patronage of locally manufactured products mandatory was still in effect.

“Let us be reminded that we cannot achieve significant progress in our drive for industrialisation unless we deliberately promote the production of capital goods,” he said.

“We must be focused on expanding our production base, prioritising local content, and promoting made-in-Nigeria products.

“I want to assure you that Executive Order No 003 – Support for Local Content in Public Procurement by the federal government, which mandates the patronage of locally manufactured products is still in effect.

“The relevant government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) are mandated to fully comply with the order.”

The vice-president emphasised that Nigeria has no better option than to support its indigenous firms to produce locally and increase their capabilities.

He said the summit offered the opportunity to re-evaluate the challenges confronting the sector and proffer solutions that would resolve them.

“Our proposal to minimise the economic imbalances in the nation is based on strengthening the production base of our economy, particularly in manufacturing,” he said.

“Most of our setbacks as a nation, as each of you knows, are due to over-dependence on imports for even our basic necessities.

“That is why we need you to address the various challenges facing the sector and ensure we have a competitive manufacturing sector.”

Shettima, who expressed satisfaction with what he saw during a tour of the exhibition at the summit, said he was convinced more than ever of Nigeria’s industrial capabilities, creativity, and innovation.

He stressed the role of manufacturing in driving the nation’s wealth, job creation, living standards, and revenue generation.

“This explains why President Bola Tinubu is focused on accelerating infrastructure projects, including roads, ports and energy supply,” he added.

“It is essential to expedite the delivery of infrastructure projects that will enable the sector to leap forward and thrive.”

On his part, Francis Meshioye, president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the “unique opportunity and his magnanimity” to host the summit in the State House.

Meshioye said since the association opened communication with the office of the vice-president, they have been receiving tremendous support and collaboration from the presidency.

“The ultimate goal of the meeting is to reposition the sector on the path of accelerated growth, enhance its competitiveness and reap its multiplier effect on the economy and the wellbeing of the citizenry,” he said.

Meshioye also said the prevailing microeconomic environment places severe strains on the manufacturing sector, adding that it adversely affects the jobs and livelihoods of the citizens.