As part of its continued efforts to drive Nigeria’s industrial development through local innovation, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has taken its Made-in-Nigeria campaign to Kebbi State. The agency held a Stakeholder Focus Group Meeting with critical stakeholders to explore practical pathways for enhancing the adoption of Nigerian-made products in households and businesses across the state.
The engagement, which aligns with NASENI’s mandate to nurture and grow the nation’s engineering and manufacturing capacity, brought together a diverse range of participants including business leaders, academics, government officials, civil society groups, and industrialists. Discussions at the forum centred on understanding the barriers to adoption of locally manufactured goods, consumer preferences, and the perception gaps between different categories of Made-in-Nigeria products.
Participants examined why some Nigerian-made goods enjoy greater acceptance than others, noting issues such as inconsistent product quality, limited public awareness, and inadequate distribution channels. Stakeholders also shared insights on what could be done to build consumer trust and improve patronage—including the need for targeted public campaigns, stronger government incentives, and enhanced product standardisation.
In a bid to reinforce the message of local capacity and innovation, NASENI showcased its assembled-in-Nigeria hybrid pick-up truck—a vehicle that runs on both petrol and electric power. The vehicle is one of several models developed by the agency as part of its broader automotive and mobility engineering programme. The demonstration served as a strong visual symbol of what is possible when Nigeria invests in indigenous engineering, research, and production.