Bill Sponsor: Sen. Bamidele, Michael Opeyemi (Ekiti Central-Senate Leader) Bill Progress: Concurrence
The “Nigerian Content in Programmes, Contracts, Engineering, Science, Technology and Innovation (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB. 1167), aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework that promotes and enforces Nigerian content within the domains of science, technology, and innovation. This initiative seeks to formalize and expand upon the principles established by Executive Order 5 (EO5), signed in 2018, which was a pivotal step toward enhancing local participation in these sectors.
At the heart of the bill are several critical objectives designed to bolster the nation’s technological and industrial capacities:
- Promote Indigenous Capacity: The bill mandates the utilization of local talent, products, and services in all government-funded projects related to science, engineering, and technology. This requirement aims to ensure that local expertise is harnessed effectively, fostering national development.
- Encourage Innovation: By promoting the use of local resources, the bill seeks to foster technological innovation and enhance the developmental capabilities of indigenous firms. This is expected to improve national competitiveness on a global scale.
- Regulate Contracts: The bill also stipulates that government ministries, departments, and agencies must prioritize Nigerian companies when awarding contracts, particularly in instances where local expertise is available. This regulatory measure is intended to create a fair playing field for Nigerian businesses and ensure they have the opportunity to participate in government projects actively.
The legislative proposal represents a substantial step towards institutionalizing a “buy local” policy, which serves as an enhancement of a previous presidential directive aimed at promoting local content and expertise.
The President’s endorsement is the final step required for the bill to become law, marking a potential transformation in how Nigeria engages with local content in its scientific and technological endeavors. The successful passage of this legislation could pave the way for heightened investment in local talent and resources, ultimately fostering a more sustainable and self-reliant economy.
