The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Achike Udenwa has charged Nigerian Manufacturers to prove to Nigerians that their productive capacity can meet the market demands of the Nigerian consumers before Government will embark on campaign for made in Nigeria Products.

He gave the charge during an interactive session with the Nigerian manufacturers to deliberate on the need for the launching of a national campaign for made-in-Nigeria products.

Addressing the stakeholders ahead of the formal launching of the campaign, the Minister pointed out that it was not enough to convince Nigerians to buy made-in-Nigeria products without addressing the demand side to ensure availability of products.

"What we want to ask the major producers is, supposing we get Nigerians to buy your products, can you satisfy the markets. It is not enough for us to convince people to buy made-in-Nigeria products and they go to the market but do not see the products," he said"

Udenwa assured that if the manufacturers are sure of supplying the Nigerian market, Government will carry out the campaign in all corners of the country, adding that the quality of locally manufactured products are very high, if not, people will not travel out to fake Nigeria products and ship them back to Nigeria to sell them.

He stated further that government was determined in its procurement policies to give preference to goods made in Nigeria and urged Nigerians to join hands with the present administration to make the campaign a success.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Humphrey Abah pointed out that products that are made in the country can compete favourably with the products made elsewhere, urging Nigerians to take pride in utilizing goods manufactured in the country, which will assist in sustaining the economy. He said that patronage of locally made goods will help to check capital flight and also generate employment opportunities.

The representatives of Nigeria Textile Manufacturers, Footwears Leather and Automobile industry, Jaiyeola Olarewaju, who spoke for the sector said the industry has the productive capacity to meet the demands of the consumers, but regretted that there was no market for their products.

He said government should protect Nigerian Industries from foreign invaders, promising that Nigerian manufacturers would join hands with the government to make the campaign a success.

He appealed to government and Nigerians to patronize made in Nigeria products, which he claimed, have good quality and have been certified by Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON).