Abuja
Senate Sets To Enforce Use Of Nigerian-Made Vehicles In MDAs
Senate Sets To Enforce Use Of Nigerian-Made Vehicles In MDAs
Senate sets to enforce use of Nigerian-made vehicles in MDAs. A bill seeking to compel ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to prioritise the purchase of Nigerian-made vehicles has passed second reading in the senate.
The legislation, titled ‘Local Automotive Industry Patronage Bill, 2025’, is sponsored by Patrick Ndubueze, senator representing Imo north.
Ndubueze introduced the bill in October 2024 and passed its first reading. Leading debate on the bill during plenary, Ndubueze said Nigeria’s overdependence on imported automobiles has continued to weaken the naira and damage local industries.
“Any country that aims to achieve steady economic growth and development must have a policy that encourages and provides a framework for local production,” he said.
“It is also important that goods and services are produced locally, as its ripple effect is a reduction in imports and a rise in exports (balance of trade).”
The senator said Nigeria had failed to institutionalise the use of indigenous brands and instead glorified foreign products of no superior value.
“Today we see the seesawing of the naira, and with every plunge, inflation bites harder,” he said.
Ndubueze said 54 automobile manufacturing licences had been issued in Nigeria, noting that only six companies remain operational due to forex shortages and poor infrastructure.
He added that many automobile firms had moved to Ghana, where they are now setting up plants to produce vehicles for the Nigerian market.
“How do we stem the free fall of the naira if we cannot address our appetite for foreign goods?” he asked.
“How do we support the development of indigenous brands if the biggest spender, year on year — the government — refuses to buy made-in-Nigeria goods?”
He proposed that at least 75 percent of vehicles procured by public officers and civil servants be locally manufactured, not merely assembled.
“This is the first step to saving our economy, protecting our currency, and creating jobs for our people,” he said.
He said only firms with at least 70 percent Nigerian workforce, 75 percent local research and development (R&D) spend, and technology such as robotic painting machines and electrophoresis systems should qualify as local manufacturers.
“Government support for local industry should be seen as both strategically important, a long-term investment, and a national security imperative,” he said.
He cited China, India, and Malaysia as examples of countries that banned imported cars in their early years to grow domestic industries.
“Today, these countries have perfected their local processes, and we are now importing their products, some of which cannot compete with our locally manufactured vehicles,” he said.
Mohammed Monguno, senate chief whip and senator representing Borno central, said the bill would give legal backing to an existing directive by the federal executive council (FEC) on the use of local products.
Senate
“This law will insulate the directive from the whims and caprices of subsequent administrations who may want to reverse it,” he said.
Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president and the presiding officer, said the bill would “provide jobs for automobile engineers in the country and encourage more investors to move into the sector.”
The deputy senate president said the bill will “strengthen our economy and the naira and galvanise the automobile industry.
“We hope the process to get it assented to by the president will be expeditious,” Barau added.
The bill was referred to the senate committee on public procurement for further legislative scrutiny, with a report expected within four weeks.
On Wednesday, the senate commenced an investigation into alleged violations of the federal character principle in recruitment and appointments across MDAs.
The probe began with an interactive session between the senate committee on federal character and heads of key federal agencies.
The inquiry follows a resolution passed on March 25 after a motion sponsored by Osita Ngwu, the minority whip and senator representing Enugu west.
Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet In Abuja, Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future
Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, on Saturday hosted Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and other opposition leaders at his Abuja residence.
Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, Achike Udenwa, former governor of Anambra; and Victor Oganku were also at the meeting.
TheCable understands that discussions by the politicians centred on strengthening the opposition front and Nigeria’s democratic future.
Amaechi, Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and are eyeing the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former minister contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and came second behind President Bola Tinubu, who won the party’s ticket.
In March, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, said the party was working to adopt a consensus approach in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.
Abdullahi said the party had the options of direct primaries and consensus for electing its presidential candidate, adding that indirect primaries were “no longer on the table”, as stipulated in the amended Electoral Act.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Amaechi said he has positioned himself as a viable contender for the next presidential race on the ADC platform.
Amaechi rejected the call for a consensus arrangement within the ADC ahead of the 2027 poll, insisting that aspirants must be allowed to test their popularity at the ballot.
Peter Obi
He said Nigerians are yearning for competent leadership to address economic hardship and insecurity.
The former governor of Rivers, however, said he would support Abubakar if the former vice-president emerges as the party’s standard-bearer for the 2027 presidential poll.
FG Warns Against Illegal Use Of Ambassador Title, Fake Diplomatic Identities
President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has warned against the rising abuse of diplomatic titles in Nigeria, particularly the illegal use of the designation “Ambassador” by unauthorised individuals and groups.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in Abuja.
“Some of the persons conferred illegally with the Ambassadorial titles unfortunately parade themselves as such in official communications and even in engagements with foreign embassies in Nigeria which has caused serious embarrassment to the federal government.
“The Ministry warns that individuals parading themselves as “Ambassadors” based on such deceitful conferment are engaging in impersonation, which is a criminal offence and therefore strongly cautions all persons involved in such illegalities or parading themselves as Ambassadors to desist forthwith,” the statement said.
The government also raised alarm over the use of fake diplomatic passports, identity cards, vehicle number plates, and other materials bearing the insignia of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by impostors.
Tinubu
According to the statement, some of those involved in the practice go as far as parading themselves as ambassadors in official correspondence and in dealings with foreign missions in Nigeria, a development it said has embarrassed the country.
It, however, stressed that only the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has the constitutional authority to appoint and accredit ambassadors for Nigeria, adding that no individual, group, or organisation has the power to confer diplomatic titles.
NPF Debunks False Terror Alert In FCT, Arrests Suspect For Incitement
False terror alert in FCT,. The Nigeria Police Force wishes to categorically debunk a viral video circulating on social media alleging an ongoing terrorist attack in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Force states unequivocally that no such incident occurred, and the claims contained in the video are entirely false, misleading, and malicious.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the video was deliberately curated using misleading footage sourced from online platforms to construct a false narrative aimed at causing panic, inciting public fear, and undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the nation’s capital.
In furtherance of its commitment to maintaining public order, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested one Pam Joseph in connection with the creation and dissemination of the false content. The arrest followed credible intelligence and digital forensic investigations linking the suspect to the origin and circulation of the video.
The Force reiterates that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, such rights do not extend to the deliberate spread of misinformation capable of threatening public peace and national security. Members of the public are therefore advised to verify information before sharing and to refrain from engaging in activities that may incite fear or disorder.
Police
The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding public order and national security, and will continue to monitor digital spaces and take decisive action against individuals who engage in the dissemination of false or misleading information.
DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+) mni
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
10th April, 2026
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