Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to prove his commitment to the new “Nigeria First” policy by personally giving up foreign-made goods and embracing Nigerian products.

The challenge came shortly after the Federal Government unveiled a new policy aimed at promoting local content and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on foreign goods and services.

As part of the policy, announced on Monday, President Tinubu directed all government ministries and agencies to stop the importation of products that can be locally produced. He also placed restrictions on hiring foreign contractors for jobs that Nigerians can handle, except with approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

Reacting, Atiku—through his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu—described the move as mere public relations without substance unless the President himself leads by example.

“The Tinubu administration’s latest ‘Nigeria First’ mantra, paraded through the Federal Executive Council, is nothing but another tired PR stunt—designed to deceive, not deliver,” Atiku’s aide said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

“Nigerians have grown weary of hollow speeches. If this government is truly serious about local content and economic patriotism, it must start at the very top.”

Atiku challenged the President to take bold personal steps to back the policy.

“We challenge President Tinubu to stop the noise and trade in his beloved Escalade for an Innoson, Nord or any made-in-Nigeria car. That single act will do more to promote local industry than a thousand policy memos.”

“Let’s see the ministers—those shameless Rolls Royce connoisseurs—sweat it out in Nigerian-made vehicles too. Or is ‘Nigeria First’ only for the masses?”

Atiku also called on Tinubu to start vacationing locally if he truly believes in Nigeria:

“It’s time Mr. President shelves his love affair with Paris and London. If he’s serious about patriotism, his next vacation should be at Obudu Cattle Ranch, Yankari Game Reserve, or Erin Ijesha Waterfalls. Nigeria is beautiful—unless, of course, the President thinks otherwise.”

He further urged Tinubu to end the tradition of medical tourism and begin receiving treatment at Nigerian hospitals.

“We demand that President Tinubu—champion of ‘Nigeria First’—conduct all future medical check-ups at LUTH, National Hospital Abuja, UCH Ibadan, or even the ₦41 billion Akwa Ibom world-class hospital built by uncommon transformer, in Uyo. If these hospitals are good enough for ordinary Nigerians, they should be good enough for their Commander-in-Chief. Anything less is sheer hypocrisy.”

“This government’s addiction to foreign luxuries while demanding sacrifice from suffering Nigerians is the height of insincerity. True leadership isn’t photo-ops or soundbites—it’s setting the tone by example. Nigeria deserves real commitment, not this never-ending charade,” the statement added.