By Obinna Uballa
The Federal Government has called on indigenous companies to take full advantage of the “Nigeria First Policy,” a strategic economic initiative aimed at promoting local content, reducing dependence on imports, and boosting domestic industries.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, made the appeal in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Managing Director and Founder of Solewant Group, Mr. Solomon Ewanehi, according to a statement by by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the SGF, on Wednesday.
Akume reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment that enables Nigerian-owned companies to grow, innovate, and compete globally. He said the Nigeria First Policy, already yielding positive results, remains central to the administration’s economic recovery and industrialisation efforts.
He urged local firms to leverage the policy, stressing that a stronger domestic production base is essential for job creation, foreign exchange savings, and long-term economic stability.
The SGF also commended Solewant Group for responding strategically to opportunities arising from the divestment of international oil companies (IOCs), noting the company’s investments in steel pipe production, metal fabrication, and specialised coating solutions for the oil and gas sector.
Earlier, Ewanehi explained that Solewant Group was expanding its footprint across Africa in the manufacturing of steel pipes, coating materials, and coated pipeline products. He said the company’s growth aligns with the Federal Government’s directive to the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and other industry players to support initiatives aimed at significantly increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production.
He further informed the SGF of plans to host the 9th Africa Energy Summit in Port Harcourt from November 27-28, 2025. The summit will bring together energy experts to discuss strategies for enhancing crude oil productivity and positioning Africa competitively in the global energy landscape.
