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By Moses Akaigwe
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), under the headship of its Director-General, Otunba Oluwemimo Osanipin, has taken another significant step towards transforming Nigeria’s automotive industry with the unveiling of the National Automotive Repository Portal (NARP) in Lagos.
Designed to transform the regulation, monitoring and development of Nigeria’s automotive industry through real-time data management and automated compliance processes, the digital platform was launched at a well-attended ceremony that attracted key stakeholders in the automotive sector.
The portal was officially unveiled on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, by the NADDC Director General who was represented by the Director and Head of Department, Policy, Planning and Statistics in the Council, Nuru Sidi Umar.
Speaking at the launch, Osanipin described NARP as the “digital backbone” of Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem, noting that the initiative represents a major milestone in the implementation of the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP 2023–2033).
According to him, sustainable industrial growth cannot be achieved without access to accurate, real-time empirical data and effective oversight mechanisms, which informed the development of the platform.
“NARP is far more than an online portal or a repository database; it is the infrastructure designed to drive critical development vectors for our country,” the NADDC boss said.
He explained that the platform would simplify and significantly shorten the corporate licensing process for local vehicle assemblers by replacing manual procedures with digital workflows, thereby reducing delays and creating a more business-friendly environment for local manufacturing and supply chain development.
Osanipin further stated that NARP would provide critical insights into domestic vehicle supply, assembly plant capacities and pricing trends, enabling government and industry stakeholders to make evidence-based policy decisions capable of attracting foreign direct investment into the sector.
He noted that the platform would also strengthen collaboration among regulatory agencies through an automated inter-agency digital infrastructure, ensuring the verification of genuine vehicle technical footprints while protecting local manufacturers from the influx of substandard imports.
“By verifying genuine vehicle technical footprints, we protect our local industries from the influx of substandard imports, validate genuine assembly components, and ensure a competitive level playing field,” he stated.
The NADDC Chief Executive Officer disclosed that some local assemblers had already been onboarded onto the platform, describing the development as a clear demonstration of the private sector’s readiness to embrace digital transformation.
“With NARP now fully live, registration is moving directly into a rule-based compliance status. Let us utilise this platform to build an inclusive, standard-driven and highly competitive domestic automotive market that Nigeria can be proud of,” Osanipin said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Nuru Sidi Umar said the launch marked a significant step towards building a structured, technology-driven and globally competitive automotive industry.
Umar explained that NARP was developed to address longstanding challenges associated with fragmented data collection, manual compliance validation and operational bottlenecks affecting local vehicle assembly operations.
He described the portal as the official centralised compliance engine for the automotive sector, noting that it would digitalise assembler licensing, automate factory site evaluations, track technical inspections in real time and create a comprehensive digital footprint for every vehicle through its unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
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“Through this automated oversight, we are establishing a robust ecosystem where absolute data transparency actively protects genuine investments, eliminates manual processing errors and strictly standardises manufacturing quality across the entire board,” the Director and Head of Department, Policy, Planning and Statistics, NADDC, said.
Umar emphasised that NARP is not merely an administrative platform for NADDC but a critical public infrastructure designed to empower local assemblers by providing predictable processes, reducing bureaucratic barriers and improving the ease of doing business.
Also speaking, a board member of the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), Dr. Harpreef Singh, said Nigeria remains an attractive destination for global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), but stressed that the country must put the right structures in place to maximise such opportunities.
Commending NADDC for introducing NARP, Dr. Singh said: “This nation has the biggest OEMs that want to come and invest in the country. You are the Nigerians. When you are ready, of course we are ready. Otherwise, they will make the place a dumping ground.
“You should start creating jobs and start building economic growth in your country. This platform comes at a critical juncture, which will give us absolute transparency of who is who and take away the noise.”
Singh added: “I am proud to say that my dear friend and brother, the NADDC DG (Otunba Osanipin) took this initiative upon himself to ensure that this portal is launched today. There were hiccups, but he made it happen.
“NAMA, being the voice of vehicle assemblers and manufacturers in the country, is behind this initiative of the DG and will fully support him in achieving his objectives.”
Also applauding Otunba Osanipin and the NADDC for the initiative, the Managing Director of Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Limited (DSWAL), Mr. Hikmat Thapa, described NARP as a significant milestone in the advancement of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
According to the DSWAL MD, the portal would enhance transparency, improve data management, support evidence-based policymaking, and promote sustainable growth across the sector.
“I commend the leadership of NADDC and all stakeholders whose vision, dedication, and hard work have made this achievement possible. I am confident that the National Automotive Repository Portal will serve as a valuable platform for industry development, investment promotion, and innovation,” Me. Thapa stated
This important initiative marks a significant milestone in the advancement of Nigeria’s automotive industry. The portal will enhance transparency, improve data management, support evidence-based policymaking, and promote sustainable growth across the sector.
I commend the leadership of NADDC and all stakeholders whose vision, dedication, and hard work have made this achievement possible. I am confident that the National Automotive Repository Portal will serve as a valuable platform for industry development, investment promotion, and innovation.
The launch of NARP is expected to enhance transparency, strengthen regulatory oversight and provide policymakers with reliable industry intelligence needed to accelerate Nigeria’s automotive industrialization agenda under the NAIDP 2023–2033 framework.
With the NADDC Director and Head of Department, Policy, Planning and Statistics at the event were the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Susan Bisong-Taiwo; and the Zonal Coordinator at the NADDC headquarters, Mrs Felicia Oyebolu
The event attracted major stakeholders in Nigeria’s automotive industry, including Mr. Femi Olafunmiloye, Managing Director of Lafbart Innovations & Consulting Ltd. (LAFBART), who also represented NAMA; Chief Charles Chukwuma of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co Limited, Nnewi; and Executive Director, Chanrai Nigeria, Engr. Sunday Hart.
Also at the ceremony were Sunil Dharmappa of the Stallion Group; ;the Head,Sales Marketing and Logistics, Honda Automobile Western Africa Ltd. (HAWA),Mr Remi Adams; Sales/Marketing Manager, Iron Products Industries Ltd (IPI), Umar Musa; .General Manager , Sales, Kojo Motors, Chino Ogwumike,; and a representative of Bolous Enterprises. Limited.
