By Ladi Gbegi
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure ,NASENI, has called on Nigerians to patronize locally made products as a means of strengthening the nation’s economy and investing in its future.
Speaking at a Strategic Focused Group Meeting on Made-in-Nigeria Products in Abuja, the Coordinator of NASENI’s Implementation Management Office ,IMO, Mr. Yusud Kasheem, emphasized the importance of embracing locally engineered solutions.
“This gathering marks a crucial step in our mission to promote and enhance the impact of Nigerian-made innovations that are transforming lives across the country”, Kasheem stated.
He highlighted that replicating such meetings nationwide would foster greater support for indigenous products, leading to job creation, economic stimulation, and reduced dependence on imports.
“Every time we choose a Made-in-Nigeria product, we contribute to a stronger and more self-reliant nation”, he added, urging individuals and businesses to collaborate with NASENI in driving Nigeria’s industrial and technological advancement.
Through strategic partnerships both locally and internationally, NASENI has developed 35 commercially viable made-in-Nigeria products, including solar irrigation systems for farmers, home solar solutions, lithium batteries, energy-efficient street lamps, and animal feed mill machines.
The agency is also pioneering eco-friendly mobility solutions and locally manufactured electronics, demonstrating Nigeria’s capability to produce world-class products.
Mrs. Stella Okotete, Executive Director of Business Development at NEXIM Bank, reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s non-oil exports through financial assistance and strategic guidance.
“This meeting reaffirms our shared commitment to positioning Nigeria as a key player in global trade by ensuring that locally manufactured goods meet international standards”, Okotete said.
She noted that with the global shift toward economic diversification, Nigeria must leverage its vast human and natural resources to build a strong, export-driven economy.
“The promotion of made-in-Nigeria products is not just an economic necessity but a national imperative”, she stressed.
Okotete outlined NEXIM Bank’s initiatives, including single-digit interest loans for export-driven businesses, export credit facilities for SMEs, and investments in logistics and processing hubs to enhance trade.
She encouraged stakeholders—government agencies, financial institutions, manufacturers, and exporters—to work together in improving product quality, branding, and market competitiveness.
“Together, we can position Nigerian-made products as a global standard of excellence. Let’s move from being just consumers to becoming producers for the world”, Okotete concluded.
