The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin says Nigeria’s automotive future must be built locally, not defined by imported vehicles.
Osanipin said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a joint news conference with BKG Exhibitions Ltd as part of activities to herald the 26th Abuja International Motor Fair.
He said the fair with the theme: “Driving Nigeria’s Automotive Future,” will hold from Nov. 10 to 13 at Eagle Square, Abuja.
“The future of our automotive industry must not be defined solely by the vehicles we import, but increasingly by what we design, manufacture, assemble and develop,” he said.
According to him, the industry offers Nigeria opportunities to diversify the economy, conserve foreign exchange, create jobs and strengthen indigenous manufacturing.
“A strong automotive industry cannot depend on vehicle assembly alone, hence, the need for local suppliers of components, spare parts and accessories,” he said.
Osanipin said NADDC’s priorities included local content development, support for assembly and component manufacturing, research, technical capacity building and investment in emerging automotive technologies.
He said the council was preparing Nigeria for electric mobility, alternative fuels and battery technology, adding that CNG remained an important opportunity for affordable and efficient mobility.
The D-G said CNG solutions must be backed by safety standards, technical training, quality assurance and public education.
On skills, he said: “our young people must not remain spectators in the transformation of the global automotive industry.
“They should be equipped as technicians, engineers, innovators, manufacturers and business leaders.
“Thus, industry players should ensure to explore partnerships, internships and knowledge transfer at the fair.”
Osanipin also stressed the need for quality, safety and consumer protection, saying reliable products, qualified personnel and responsible after-sales support were essential to public confidence in Nigerian-made and assembled vehicles.
He urged manufacturers, assemblers, financial institutions and technology companies to explore investment in vehicle assembly, component manufacturing, after-sales services and automotive technology.
According to the D-G, the fair is expected to strengthen engagement between local manufacturers and international brands, promote local content and create opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
“Nigeria has the potential to become a stronger automotive manufacturing and mobility hub in Africa and this will require deliberate investment and sustained collaboration,” he said.
He commended BKG Exhibitions Ltd for its partnership and urged the media to report the achievements of Nigerian manufacturers, assemblers and innovators responsibly.
“Together, let us transform conversations into commitments, into partnerships, and partnerships into measurable industrial progress,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of BKG Exhibitions Ltd, Mr Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, said the automotive industry was about industrialisation, technology, mobility, jobs and national pride, not just vehicles.
“When a nation builds a strong automobile industry, it does not build only vehicles. It builds industries around industries,” he said.
He said the sector spanned components, skills and services, from steel, rubber and batteries to finance, insurance, logistics and repairs.
Agwu said the fair was positioned as a national automotive marketplace and a platform for policy engagement.
He said it would bring together manufacturers, assemblers, distributors, component producers, financial institutions, fleet owners, state governments and investors.
He commended NADDC and its director-general for leadership, saying the partnership between NADDC and BKG was not ceremonial.
Agwu said Nigeria could not industrialise by importing everything it consumed stressing that government, private companies and exhibition organisers must work together.
NAN