In a decisive move to bolster the nation’s industrial base and promote local innovation, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has unveiled comprehensive strategies aimed at enhancing the visibility, acceptance, and competitiveness of Made-in-Nigeria products. The initiative, described as both timely and necessary, seeks to tackle head-on the persistent challenges that have historically stifled indigenous manufacturing and technological growth.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement session held in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, Deputy Director of Engineering at NASENI, Joseph Alasoluyi, emphasized that the program’s overarching goal is to produce products using indigenous technology while fostering a national culture of innovation and self-reliance.

“The idea of this programme is to interface and ensure we produce products using indigenous technology. NASENI is committed to encouraging homegrown technologies,” Alasoluyi said. “We aim to integrate efforts to ensure that local technology is utilized to develop products using available resources.”

The agency’s efforts come at a critical time for Nigeria. With global supply chains facing continued disruptions and a growing push for economic self-sufficiency, Nigeria’s need to harness its industrial and scientific potential has never been greater. NASENI’s work is being seen as an essential part of the broader national strategy to build a more resilient economy.

Understanding the Core Challenges

During the Akure event, NASENI outlined the core obstacles that have long hindered the success of Made-in-Nigeria goods: poor public perception, concerns about quality, affordability issues, and a lack of strong policy support.

For many Nigerian consumers, there is a lingering perception that foreign products are inherently better. This cultural bias, according to stakeholders, is deeply entrenched and will require consistent efforts in consumer education, strategic branding, and policy-driven advocacy to reverse.

Affordability also remains a significant barrier. Locally made products, often produced at smaller scales without the benefits of large-scale economies or government subsidies, tend to cost more than mass-produced imports from Asia and Europe. As a result, price-conscious consumers often gravitate towards cheaper foreign goods, even when local alternatives may offer superior quality.

Moreover, poor product packaging, limited awareness campaigns, and an underdeveloped distribution network have further limited the market reach of Nigerian goods.

Joseph Alasoluyi called for a unified, national approach to these issues, stressing that success would depend on the collaboration of manufacturers, research institutions, regulatory bodies, the private sector, and government agencies.

NASENI’s Strategic Framework: Creation, Collaboration, Commercialization

At the heart of NASENI’s strategy are the “3Cs”: Creation, Collaboration, and Commercialization.

• Creation: NASENI is investing heavily in research and development to create innovative products that meet local and international standards.
  
• Collaboration: Recognizing that no agency can work in isolation, NASENI is fostering partnerships with universities, private companies, and international organizations to pool expertise and resources.
  
• Commercialization: Perhaps the most critical phase, this focuses on moving innovations from the laboratory to the marketplace, ensuring that research results translate into commercially viable products that can compete globally.
  

Alasoluyi highlighted some of NASENI’s notable achievements, including:

• Solar-powered irrigation systems aimed at boosting year-round agricultural productivity.
• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centers supporting Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy.
• High-capacity block-making machines capable of producing 1,000 blocks per hour.
• Locally manufactured 10-inch tablets and laptops.
• Electric tricycles (popularly called “Keke Napep”) ready for market launch later this year.
  

These innovations not only demonstrate Nigeria’s technological capabilities but also show the potential for job creation, improved standards of living, and reduced dependence on imported goods.

Irrigate Nigeria Project: A Model for Integrated Innovation

NASENI’s “Irrigate Nigeria Project,” a flagship presidential initiative, was also showcased during the Akure event. The project seeks to tackle Nigeria’s chronic food insecurity by providing affordable and efficient irrigation technologies to farmers across the country.

In a country where only a small percentage of arable land is irrigated, despite abundant water resources, this project could be transformative. With unpredictable rainfall patterns made worse by climate change, year-round irrigation has become a necessity for ensuring stable food supplies.

Through the project, NASENI has successfully designed and manufactured solar-powered irrigation systems that are affordable for smallholder farmers. This aligns with national efforts to achieve food security and support rural development.

Homegrown Innovation: Reverse Engineering Success

Alasoluyi proudly cited a recent success story: the reverse engineering and improvement of a charcoal stove initially imported from China. NASENI engineers analyzed the imported design, identified its weaknesses, and developed an improved, more durable version suited to local conditions.

This achievement underscores a broader point: Nigeria does not necessarily need to reinvent the wheel in every sector. Strategic reverse engineering, adaptation, and improvement of existing technologies can fast-track the country’s journey towards industrialization.

Bridging the Research-Industry Gap

While NASENI’s efforts are commendable, many experts agree that Nigeria’s broader research-to-industry pipeline remains weak.

Dr. Samuel Oluyamo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), lamented that promising academic innovations often fail to make it to market due to poor funding and a lack of industry partnerships.

“Until we scale up research into mass production, technological growth will remain elusive,” Oluyamo said. He called for increased government funding for research, the establishment of innovation hubs, and better frameworks to connect researchers with manufacturers.

This sentiment was echoed by other participants who urged the government to create stronger incentives for private sector investment in R&D.

Addressing the Quality and Perception Challenge

From the perspective of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, represented by Adekole Adetokunbo, poor product quality and public skepticism remain critical hurdles.

Adetokunbo stressed that building consumer trust requires more than just slogans; it demands consistent quality improvements, strict enforcement of standards, and strategic marketing.

One promising approach would be the establishment of a “Made-in-Nigeria” certification scheme, similar to South Africa’s successful “Proudly South African” campaign. Such a scheme could help signal to consumers that a product meets rigorous quality standards, thereby boosting confidence.

Consumer education campaigns, using mass media, social media influencers, and grassroots mobilization, were also recommended to change entrenched biases and promote national pride in Nigerian products.

Policy and Structural Reforms Needed

Representing the National Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Akadiri Olawaseun argued that the biggest challenge is not the quality of Nigerian products but weak government policy support and poor advocacy.

He cited examples such as locally produced electrical cables and construction materials, which often surpass imported alternatives in quality but suffer from lack of public trust and minimal promotional efforts.

Policy recommendations from the session included:

• Providing tax incentives for companies that produce Made-in-Nigeria goods.
• Establishing government procurement quotas favoring local products.
• Improving infrastructure, especially power supply, to reduce production costs.
• Strengthening institutions like the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) to ensure strict quality control.

Opportunities on the Horizon

Despite these challenges, there are reasons for optimism.

Africa’s rapidly growing population, rising middle class, and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provide new opportunities for Nigerian manufacturers. By tapping into regional markets, Made-in-Nigeria goods could find a ready audience beyond national borders.

Furthermore, global shifts toward supply chain diversification could favor Nigerian industries if the right investments are made in quality, reliability, and competitiveness.

NASENI’s renewed focus on innovation and commercialization positions it well to lead Nigeria’s industrial resurgence.

Conclusion: A Call for National Commitment

The unveiling of NASENI’s strategies in Akure sends a powerful message: Nigeria can no longer afford to rely on imports for its basic needs. The country must believe in its own capabilities, invest in its people, and aggressively promote its own innovations.

Government, private sector, academia, and the Nigerian people must come together in a concerted national effort to change perceptions, improve quality, and champion homegrown solutions.

As Joseph Alasoluyi aptly put it, “The future belongs to those who innovate. Nigeria must not be left behind.”

With sustained commitment, strategic investments, and a renewed sense of national pride, Made-in-Nigeria products can become a powerful engine for economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness.

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photo source: Google

By: Montel Kamau

Serrari Financial Analyst

28th April, 2025