ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has declared that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable economic growth by relying on imports instead of domestic production, vowing to prioritise local manufacturing if elected in the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the country’s economic recovery depends on producing what it consumes, manufacturing what it uses, and exporting finished goods rather than raw materials. He argued that Nigeria’s over-reliance on imports has weakened the naira, stifled industrial growth, and exposed the economy to external shocks.
Atiku, who has been a vocal critic of the current administration’s economic policies, said Nigeria has the human capital, natural resources, and market size to become a manufacturing hub, but successive governments have failed to create the enabling environment for industries to thrive. He promised to provide incentives for local manufacturers, protect infant industries, and enforce local content policies across all sectors if elected.
The former vice president said that his administration would create a “Nigeria First” policy that ensures that government procurement, infrastructure projects, and public services prioritise locally made goods and services. He also pledged to invest in power supply, transport infrastructure, and technology to reduce the cost of doing business and make Nigerian products competitive both locally and internationally.
Atiku said that the over-dependence on oil exports and the neglect of other productive sectors have made Nigeria vulnerable to global price fluctuations, and that a robust local manufacturing base is the only sustainable path to economic resilience. He also promised to address the forex crisis by boosting non-oil exports and reducing the demand for foreign currency for imports.
His remarks come amid heightened political consultations and coalition-building efforts by opposition parties seeking to present a united front against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. Atiku, who has contested for the presidency multiple times since 2007, is one of the leading opposition figures in the race, and his economic message is expected to resonate with Nigerians grappling with the rising cost of living and high unemployment.
The ADC presidential candidate also criticised the current administration’s borrowing strategy, warning that the country’s growing debt profile, exacerbated by naira devaluation, is mortgaging the future of generations to come. He said his government would be more prudent in managing public finances and ensure that borrowed funds are invested in projects that generate measurable returns.
As the 2027 election draws closer, Atiku’s focus on local production and economic sovereignty is likely to be a central theme of his campaign, particularly as Nigerians continue to demand solutions to the country’s persistent economic challenges. The ADC candidate has consistently positioned himself as a reform-minded leader with a clear economic vision for the country, and his promise to prioritise local manufacturing is expected to feature prominently in his engagements with the electorate.
