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By Moses Akaigwe
Automotive industry stakeholders have, once again, harped on the importance of giving the Auto Policy a legal framework in order to sustainably attract investments, boost the confidence of the investors, and help realise the full potential of the sector.
They have, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that the Auto Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) is passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu.
This was contained in a communique issued at the second edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU), a developmental advocacy programme organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
The Summit, which was held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce Industry (LCCI), Conference & Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Lagos, had as its theme: Nigeria First: Local Content as Catalyst for Automotive Economy’.
Participants reasoned that a legal framework for the NAIDP would lead to the creation of more than 5 million jobs even as they lamented that despite its huge potential, the automotive industry does not contribute substantially to the economy of Nigeria.
The participants expressed displeasure over the non-passage of the NAIDP into law since it was enunciated by the Federal Government in 2013 (even though it took effect in 2014) – about 13 years after – and advocated that this be done without further delay.
The Summit also agreed that the proclamation of the Nigeria First Policy creates opportunities for automotive players and investors to expand and ramp up their activities in manufacturing and assembling lines.
Part of the communique read: “Operationalising the Nigeria First Policy, we must ensure that locally produced contents meet global standards. We must ensure that our vehicles and parts are safe, durable and environmentally compliant.
“The NADDC should list out parts that make up the 40 per cent local content required from the local auto manufacturers and assemblers.
“The Nigerian OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) should develop and submit a Nigerian content plan and commit to sourcing substantial portions of auto manufacturing materials, services and labour in Nigeria.
“The Nigerian auto companies must provide information to auto journalists who remain the watchdogs of the industry.
“Women should be encouraged to get involved in the automotive industry to promote inclusivity and break gender barrier, while encouraging those who are already making waves in the industry.
“Auto players should agree to be called automotive investors.
“Stakeholders should utilize the Nigeria First Policy in order to create jobs, ensure value retention and capital flight reduction.
“Nigeria First Policy should reduce dependence on imported goods, encourage innovation and skills development
“Efforts must be intensified towards addressing the porosity of our borders and tackling smuggling in order to protect local players who have invested substantially in the automotive value chain.
“Nigerian government at all levels must enforce Nigeria First Policy in Public Procurement.”
At the one-day auto industry summit, the lead prevention was made by Prof. Odion Oscar Odiboh of the Delta State University, Abraka, while Mr. Oluwemimo Osanipin, the NADDC DG, was represented by the Deaconess Felicia Oyebolu, a Deputy Director in the Council.
All the way from South Africa, Victoria Backhaus-Jerling, Chief Executive Officer of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), sent in a recorded keynote address which was watched by participants, just as Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria boss, was represented by the Head of Mechanical Testing Laboratory.
Dr. Harpreet Singh, the Executive Director of Stallion Group; earned an applause when he made a presentation on behalf of the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), the umbrella body of Avehicles
Other guests at the event included Kunle Jaiyesimi, DMD, CFAO Mobility; Kemi Koyejo, Managing Director of New Era Autovehicle Services Ltd (marketers of Jetour vehicles); Mr. Taiwo Shittu, Managing Director of Lanre Shittu Motors Ltd (LSM); Dr Olorunfemi Eguaikhide, Deputy ND, R. T. Briscoe Nigeria PLC; Abiona Babatunde, General Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communication, Coscharis Group; Karina Okunola, Marketing Manager, Mikano Motors (Changan); Umar Musa of Iron Products Industries Ltd (IPI).
Also present were Mr. Dairo Sunday, AGM Sales and Marketing,,Dangote Sinotruk; Mazhar Abbas of DAG industries Ltd (Bhajaj); Omolade Akinyode, Marketing Manager, Dana Motors (Kia); Felix Mahan, General Manager (Marketing), Carloha Nigeria (Chery); Buchi Ochuba representing the management of Chisco Transport; Oluwatobi Abimbola and Yinka Daniels, both of Weststar Associates West Africa (Mercedes-Benz); Joshua Ohia (Head of Media and Marketing) / Shekinah Odunsi (Head of Operations) both of Nord Automobiles Ltd; Jemmy Akinbola of Honda Automobile Western Africa Ltd; and many others.
