The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to repositioning Nigeria as a major automotive manufacturing hub in Africa, with plans underway to begin the export of made-in-Nigeria vehicles. This follows the inauguration of the newly constituted Governing Board of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Senator John Uwan-Enoh.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Senator Enoh urged the 12-member board, chaired by Chief Emma Eneukwu, to drive growth and innovation within the Nigerian automotive sector. He assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is strongly committed to the success of the automotive industry and will provide the necessary support to achieve its transformation goals.
“We are going to give it a serious push,” Enoh stated, adding that President Tinubu’s administration views the auto industry as a key sector for industrialisation and job creation.
Chief Eneukwu, who also serves as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman (South), pledged that the new board would work with “patriotic resolve and strategic foresight” to transform Nigeria into a hub for automotive manufacturing, assembly, and technology innovation in Africa.
“Our task is to reposition Nigeria as a major hub for automotive manufacturing, assembly, innovation, and technology in Africa,” Eneukwu said.
Director-General of NADDC, Joseph Osanipin, disclosed that the agency is prioritising production volume over the mere establishment of assembly plants, with vehicle output already witnessing significant growth.
“Before we came in, production was about 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles annually. Now, we have produced close to 12,000 vehicles before 2024,” Osanipin revealed.
He added that Nigeria is now set to begin exporting durable, made-in-Nigeria vehicles to international markets. “We will begin to export made-in-Nigeria vehicles and automotive machines very soon. These will be durable and of global standard, inspiring confidence among buyers,” he said.
The NADDC boss emphasised the importance of synergy between the board and industry stakeholders, including raw material suppliers, vehicle assemblers, component manufacturers, and regulatory bodies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“We need to work together with all stakeholders to achieve this vision. Because they represent different segments of the industry, collaboration will help drive sustainable growth,” Osanipin stated.
The board is expected to spearhead policy formulation and partnerships that will boost investment in local vehicle assembly, encourage the use of local automotive components, and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian-made vehicles globally.
Industry analysts say that if successfully implemented, the NADDC’s plans could create thousands of jobs, reduce dependence on imported vehicles, and position Nigeria as a leading player in Africa’s automotive industry.
With production volumes rising and exports on the horizon, Nigeria’s auto industry may soon witness a new phase of industrialisation, offering opportunities for economic diversification and foreign exchange earnings.