The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has signed an Executive Order (EO) 5 to improve local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology components.
According to the Twitter handle of the Federal Government @NGRPresident, The EO is expected to promote the application of science, tech and innovation towards achieving Nigeria’s development goals.
The Executive Order also prohibits the Ministry of Interior from giving visas to foreign workers whose skills are readily available in Nigeria.
It, however, notes that where expertise is lacking, procuring entities will give preference to foreign companies and firms with a demonstrable and verifiable plan for indigenous development, prior to the award of such contracts.
In the Executive Order the President also directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies to engage indigenous professionals in the planning, design and execution of national security projects.
It adds that “consideration shall only be given to a foreign professional, where it is certified by the appropriate authority that such expertise is not available in Nigeria.”
The President further said and we quote: