MAN to govt.: source Airport fencing materials locally

August 27, 2025 by Chikodi Okereocha

To uphold the Nigeria First policy and protect local industry, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene by ensuring that the fencing materials for the Lagos Airport Perimeter Fencing Project are sourced from competent Nigerian manufacturers.

MAN Director General Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in a statement, over the weekend, said this is not a call to influence the award of the contract, but a patriotic appeal to align procurement decisions with national interest for the collective benefit of Nigeria’s economy and wellbeing of the people.

MAN commended the Federal Government for its initiatives to sustain national infrastructure and draw its attention and that of Nigerians to a matter of urgent national importance, namely the ongoing procurement process for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Operational Perimeter Fencing and Security Surveillance Project.

However, Ajayi-Kadir, in the statement, which was made available to The Nation, said: “It has become a matter of national interest for the contractor handling the project to ensure strict adherence to the Executive Orders 003, 005 and the imperatives of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Nigeria First Policy.

“In particular, we strongly maintain that, in considering the procurement of Clear Vu fencing, indigenous manufacturers should be given priority consideration and it should NOT be purchased from outside Nigeria.”

He stated that while MAN acknowledges the competence of the foreign manufacturer, “The Association emphasizes that Nigerian companies have the proven capacity and technical expertise to produce fencing materials of equal — if not superior — quality that meets international standards.”

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The MAN DG pointed out that importing fencing materials for this project would not only undermine the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy, but also deprive Nigeria of critical benefits, such as job creation for Nigerian youth and skilled workers.

He added that it would also deprive the nation of foreign exchange savings at a time when the economy must prudently manage its forex stock, including loss of tax revenues and government earnings through local production.

Ajayi-Kadir also argued that importing fencing materials for the project will deny Nigeria the chance to strengthen her industrial base and security through self-reliance.

According to him, “This call became necessary as Nigerian manufacturers, regrettably, lost out in similar situations in the past. In this particular instance, despite MAN’s advocacy, fencing materials for an airport project were imported from South Africa. That decision discouraged local industries and contradicted the government’s stated local content policies”

MAN said it strongly believes that this administration has the opportunity to correct past errors. “The Lagos Airport fencing project presents a clear chance to demonstrate that the Nigeria First policy is not just an aspiration, but an intentional policy of government that will be matched with unfettered implementation,” it stated.

The statement reaffirmed MAN’s commitment to supporting the government in its Nigeria First policy, advancing inclusive growth and ensuring that government procurements impact the lives of Nigerians and promote Nigerian businesses.

The Nigeria First Policy, recently reaffirmed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, rekindled the confidence of Nigerian manufacturers. The policy builds on earlier Executive Orders 003 and 005, which mandate the prioritisation of locally manufactured goods and services in public procurement.