Buy Nigeria to grow Naira: Senate launches #MadeInNigeria contest to support locally made products
The charge to “buy Nigeria” to “grow Nigeria” has been given a boost by Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki who has launched a #MadeInNigeria contest.
The Senate’s challenge will see local manufacturers showcase their products and the raw materials used in producing such locally made goods.
Saraki has said the contest, which is set to run for three months, will be used to get feedback on the Public Procurement Act passed by the Senate in 2016.
Interested local manufacturers are expected to record a video between 45 seconds and 3 minutes showcasing their products or services that are alternatives to imported ones.
The products must be made up of at least 70 per cent of locally sourced raw materials to be considered as Made in Nigeria.
The video has to state the registration status of the company, the number of people currently employed and the intervention needed from government to aid small businesses in Nigeria.
Participants are to spice their entries in the challenge with a #MadeInNigeria hashtag.
A statement by the Senate, signed by Saraki, read:
“Today, as promised, we kick-start the soft launch of the #MadeInNigeria Challenge.
“This campaign is organised to showcase everyday products that are used by Nigerians and produced by Nigerians locally that serves as an alternative to imported products.
“The next few weeks, we hope to identify products and ideas that can be matched with investors and government agencies.
“To wrap up the Challenge, in March, we will be inviting some of the finalist to a Made In Nigeria Roundtable at the Senate.
“This Roundtable will allow us, legislators, Government Agencies, business owners, and everyday Nigerian consumers to review and update the report of the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER), which was held in 2016 to improve the ease of doing business in the country.”
Buhari’s administration had identified the need to embrace Made in Nigeria products to diversify and aid the flailing economy.
