Nigeria first policy: Major protection for creatively ambitious entrepreneurs says Leo Stan Ekeh - ITREALMS

The conversation around Nigeria’s economic future took a decisive turn toward local capacity, digital transformation, and smarter public procurement at the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) 66th Annual General Conference, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking during a high-level session themed “E-Commerce and Procurement: Transforming Public Contracting through Digital Systems, Transparency and Local Capacity Development,” Zinox Group Chairman Leo Stan Ekeh asserted that the Nigeria First Policy is a vital shield for creatively ambitious Nigerian entrepreneurs navigating a competitive global landscape.

Anchored on the principle that a sustainable digital economy cannot take root if indigenous businesses are consistently sidelined for foreign alternatives, Ekeh advocated for a robust policy framework. This framework mandates government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize homegrown goods, services, and innovations wherever local capacity.

Ekeh emphasized that the value of the Nigeria First Policy extends far beyond shielding local enterprises. By establishing a dependable domestic market for Nigerian innovators and reducing excessive reliance on imported technology, the policy channels significant economic value back into the country.

Leveraging government spending through public procurement serves as a powerful catalyst for private investment and indigenous innovation; specialized skills development and talent retention; sustainable job creation across the technology and manufacturing sectors.

The session also examined the evolving role of digital infrastructure in public contracting. Experts highlighted e-procurement platforms, government cloud architecture, robust data protection safeguards, and digital audit trails as essential tools for curbing manipulation, enhancing accountability, and establishing clear transaction records.

Legal practitioners were spotlighted as critical stakeholders in this digital evolution. Speakers noted that lawyers must master the intricate intersection between technology, procurement regulations, and compliance to effectively draft contracts, mitigate procurement risks, and navigate emerging dispute-resolution mechanisms.

A critical consensus emerged regarding enforcement. While policy guidelines can establish local content preferences, their ultimate impact depends on strict compliance. Consequently, Ekeh called for stringent enforcement mechanisms, including appropriate sanctions by regulatory bodies like the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) against entities that flout local content requirements.

Aligning with the NBA conference theme, “Beyond Limits,” contributors underscored that Nigeria’s next economic frontier will not be reached merely by consuming technology developed elsewhere. Sustainable growth requires building, innovating, manufacturing, protecting intellectual property, and fostering an environment where ambitious local entrepreneurs can scale globally.

Properly implemented, the Nigeria First Policy transcends a standard procurement preference—it functions as an economic development instrument that gives Nigerian businesses the confidence to invest, innovate, and build for the future. For entrepreneurs who have spent years engineering solutions tailored to Nigerian challenges, that institutional assurance is paramount. As Ekeh demonstrated, prioritizing local capacity is not a rejection of global competition, but a deliberate strategy to ensure Nigerian businesses are strong enough to compete and win within it.