Atiku Slams ‘Nigeria First’ Policy as PR Stunt, Challenges Tinubu to Lead by Example
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed the Bola Tinubu administration’s newly unveiled “Nigeria First” policy as nothing more than a hollow public relations gimmick.
In a sharply worded statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku criticised the policy, which mandates federal agencies to prioritise locally made goods and services, as insincere and performative and also theMarket Access: Local producers gain better access to large, consistent government contracts—often the biggest buyer in the economy. Growth & Expansion: Increased demand could lead to expansion, investment in machinery, and improvements in quality and capacity. Protection from Foreign Competition: Levels the playing field against cheaper or subsidised imports.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the initiative on May 5, touting it as a major step toward economic nationalism and domestic industrial growth. But Atiku isn’t buying it.
“Nigerians have grown weary of hollow speeches,” he said. “If this government is truly serious about local content and economic patriotism, it must start at the very top.”
Taking direct aim at President Tinubu, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate challenged him to ditch his luxury foreign car in favor of a Nigerian-made alternative.
“We challenge President Tinubu to stop the noise and trade in his beloved Escalade for an Innoson, Nord, or any made-in-Nigeria car,” Atiku said. “That single act will do more to promote local industry than a thousand policy memos.”
His criticism didn’t stop there. Atiku called out government ministers for what he described as hypocrisy, accusing them of enjoying imported luxuries while promoting local sacrifices.
“Let’s see the ministers — those shameless Rolls-Royce connoisseurs — sweat it out in Nigerian-made vehicles too. Or is ‘Nigeria First’ only for the masses?” he added.
The former vice-president also accused President Tinubu of double standards, especially regarding his penchant for vacations and medical trips abroad.
“If he’s serious about patriotism, his next vacation should be at Obudu Cattle Ranch, Yankari Game Reserve, or Erin Ijesha Waterfalls,” the statement read. “More importantly, the era of jetting off for medical tourism while preaching self-reliance must end.”
Atiku insisted that if Nigerian hospitals are good enough for ordinary citizens, they should be good enough for the president as well.
“This government’s addiction to foreign luxuries while demanding sacrifice from suffering Nigerians is the height of insincerity,” he said. “True leadership isn’t photo-ops or soundbites — it’s setting the tone by example.”
Meanwhile, not all voices are critical. Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South has praised the government’s policy direction, particularly the proposed ban on the importation of goods that can be produced locally. He called it a “bold initiative” capable of stimulating the economy and empowering local entrepreneurs.
