Fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) usually fall under food, beverages and personal/home care products. These goods are consumed on a daily basis and the name FMCG was derived as a result of their very high turnover. What are the chances that you have used or purchased some FMCG? Probably a good 98% but my main concern however is how many of these consumed goods are locally produced? I can assure you that it’s not a whole lot.
It is unfortunate that Nigerian sellers and consumers alike purchase and promote imported goods to the detriment of our local manufacturers. Although the current power situation impedes local manufacturing, as a people we must begin to shift our mindset towards promoting locally made goods as it will increase growth in our emerging market. Patronizing locally manufactured products will provide the much needed boost our local manufacturers need to improve on output and eventually compete favorably in international markets, while promoting the “Proudly Nigerian” brand that do not carry false country-manufacturer claims. We need to utilize our resources and bench mark (and improve) our standards with other emerging markets in Taiwan, India, China, etc. and be more focused on producing and exporting (not just crude oil!) rather than importing.
This is a clarion call to all Nigerians to consciously patronize “Proudly Nigerian” goods. We need not wait for the government to lead the way, but we must also be prepared for the Power initiatives currently being executed that will significantly boost productivity across different consumer goods. Fellow Nigerians, we need to take charge of our economic growth and must pioneer the change we wish to see in our country’s development by patronizing locally produced goods.
What if every Nigerian citizen, family, corporation, government bodies and so on begin to actively purchase “Proudly Nigerian” products on a daily basis? With our large population, it will result to retailers and wholesalers automatically stocking up more of these items because there is an active demand for them in the market. Manufacturers will inevitably be forced to produce more, utilizing redundant capacity and expanding production to adequately satisfy demand.
There will also be an increased demand for raw materials, particularly from the agricultural sector where most of the raw materials for the FMCG’s come from; thereby reducing much of the post-harvest losses currently being experienced in the sector. There will be increased employment in agriculture and manufacturing due to high production output. Importation rate will also be reduced, and our “Proudly Nigerian” products will be exported, mitigating foreign exchange risks against the Naira, while gaining foreign exchange on our exports. It is amazing how our choices of products can affect an entire value chain.
On a positive note, many Nigerian businesses are beginning to rise in supporting “Proudly Nigerian” brands and are churning out exported products. It is time for us to contribute to these changes and support them with our collective patronage, rather than complaining relentlessly about our nation’s woes.
