Business
FG Announces New Procurement Policy Shift Favouring Local Manufacturing
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a “Nigeria First Policy” aimed at prioritising the use of locally made goods and services in all government procurements.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, made the disclosure saying that the policy seeks to domesticate all government processes.
The Nigerian government expects that with the new policy, local manufacturers will get priority in the provision of goods and services.
“No procurement of foreign goods or services already available locally shall proceed without justification, and where there is an exceptional need for these services to procure from outside, there must be a waiver to be obtained, written waiver to be obtained by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP),” Mr Idris said.
“Where no viable local option exists, contracts must include provisions for technology transfer, local production or skills development.
For example, the provision of portal allocations under the sugar master plan should take into consideration participants’ backwards integration plans and investment in Nigeria and ensure compliance with the Master Plan.
“The MDAs have also been directed to immediately conduct an audit of all procurement plans and submit revised versions in line with these directives. Breaches will attract sanctions, including cancellation of procurement processes by such MDAS, and indeed disciplinary action against responsible officers,” the minister noted.
The federal cabinet approved these proposals on Monday and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation has been directed to prepare an Executive Order to be issued by President Bola Tinubu.
This is a major shift in government policy, Mr Idris added. “It puts Nigeria – not foreign companies, not imports – at the heart of our national development.”Once signed into law, Mr Idris said, the legislation will “foster a new business culture that will be bold, confident, but also very, very Nigerian, and it aims at making the government invest in our people and our industries by changing how the government spends money, how we procure and how we also build our economy.”“Going forward, Nigerian industry will take precedence in all procurement processes,” the minister said.
This is a major shift in government policy, Mr Idris added. “It puts Nigeria – not foreign companies, not imports – at the heart of our national development.
”Once signed into law, Mr Idris said, the legislation will “foster a new business culture that will be bold, confident, but also very, very Nigerian, and it aims at making the government invest in our people and our industries by changing how the government spends money, how we procure and how we also build our economy.”
Where local supply falls short, contracts will be structured to build capacity domestically, according to Mr Idris. “Contractors will no longer serve as intermediaries sourcing foreign goods where local factories die. I take the example of the sugar industry.”
“For example, we still have so much importation of sugar coming into this country, yet we have the Nigerian sugar council that was set up to look inward to see how sugar production can be produced, you know, for the benefit of Nigerians.
President Tinubu has proposed that we will no longer just sit there and allow importation to come into this country where there is the capacity for production of these commodities locally.
Now, as I said, the president has proposed the following directives, and all of them have been approved by the Federal Executive Council.”
President Tinubu has proposed that we will no longer just sit there and allow importation to come into this country where there is the capacity for production of these commodities locally. Now, as I said, the president has proposed the following directives, and all of them have been approved by the Federal Executive Council.”
Business
Zenith Bank: Mustafa Bello succeeds Ovia as chairman
Engr Bello is the longest-serving Board Member and has a good understanding of the Bank. This appointment has been approved by the Central Bank.
•Mustafa Bello
The former Minister of Commerce and longest-serving Non-Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Mustafa Bello, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Bank.
Bello’s appointment was announced yesterday during the bank’s yearly general meeting in Lagos.
In his remark, Jim Ovia stated, “Distinguished shareholders, it gives me great pleasure to address you this morning. This meeting will be the last Annual General Meeting that I will be attending as Chairman of this Bank. In line with the CBN’s corporate governance provision, I am expected to serve for 12 years. Having served for that term, I’ll be retiring at this AGM.
For continuity, the Board met and nominated Engineer Mustafa Bello as the next Chairman.
Engr Bello is the longest-serving Board Member and has a good understanding of the Bank. This appointment has been approved by the Central Bank.
I thank you for supporting me for this tenure. I hope you give him the same support that you gave me. Thank you and God bless Zenith Bank.”
Business
Zenith Bank’s Founder Jim Ovia Retires As Board Chairman
Ovia, who founded Zenith Bank in 1990, has played a central role in the institution’s growth into one of Nigeria’s leading financial services providers.
Zenith Bank Plc has announced the retirement of its founder and Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, following the expiration of his tenure.
Ovia, who founded Zenith Bank in 1990, has played a central role in the institution’s growth into one of Nigeria’s leading financial services providers.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the bank said Ovia stepped down after completing the mandatory 12-year tenure as a non-executive director and chairman, in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) corporate governance guidelines.
The policy limits the tenure of non-executive directors in financial institutions to promote board renewal and strengthen governance standards within the banking sector.
Business
NNPC’s Ojulari brings in Chinese to revamp Warri, Port Harcourt refineries
The agreement was signed with Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese firms for the restart, operation and expansion of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
In a statement on Monday, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odey, said that the agreement was signed with Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd.
He said the deal is expected to pave the way for a Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) aimed at completing ongoing rehabilitation works and ensuring efficient operations of the refineries.
The MoU was executed in Jiaxing City, China, on April 30, 2026, by NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, alongside the Chairman of Sanjiang Chemical Company, Guan Jianzhong, and Chairman of Xingcheng Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, Bill Bi.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Chinese partners will support the completion of outstanding rehabilitation work at both facilities and take part in their operation and maintenance to achieve sustainable performance.
The partnership will also explore the expansion and upgrade of the refineries to meet cleaner fuel standards, improve profitability and boost petrochemical production capacity.
It is further expected to support the development of gas-based industrial hubs around the facilities.
Speaking after the signing, Ojulari described the agreement as a major milestone following months of negotiations.
All parties recognise mutually beneficial opportunities for the development and long-term sustainability of NNPC’s refining assets,” he said.
The rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company was approved in 2021 at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion, with contracts awarded to Italy’s Saipem and other partners to restore its capacity of 210,000 barrels per day.
Similarly, the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company is undergoing rehabilitation under a contract valued at about $897 million, aimed at reviving its 125,000 barrels per day capacity and integrating petrochemical production.Both projects form part of NNPC’s broader strategy to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
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