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By Moses Akaigwe
One of the largest and newest automotive plants in Nigeria, CIG Motors, has assembled no less than 2,000 units of its GAC-branded vehicles at its modern plant located in the Ogba area of Ikeja, Lagos, within six months after the facility was commissioned in October, 2023.
This was disclosed recently by the Executive Director of CIG Motors, Mr. Jubril Arogundade, when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Industry toured the auto plant, accompanied by the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council {NADDC}, Mr. Joseph Osanipin.
Addressing the visitors, Arogundade, highlighted the factory’s impressive growth and capacity, saying, “Our factory boasts an annual production capacity of 5,000 to 50,000 vehicles. Notably, within just six months of opening, we successfully assembled and launched our first 2,000 units.”
He said that that CIG Motors, as a giant in the Nigerian automotive sector, prides itself on its commitment to local workforce development. “We take pride in our localised workforce, with 98 percent of our factory staff being Nigerian nationals,” Arogundade added.
A joint venture between the Lagos State Government and CIG Motors, an automobile company with Chinese background, the plant was inaugurated in October, 2023 by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, and has fully automated production lines.
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According to the Executive Director, the company has partnered with high institutions in Nigeria, to offer opportunities for students through on-site training programmes.
CIG Motors also sponsors international courses in Guangzhou, China, where 30 students are currently undergoing an intensive 18-month training programme in electrical, mechanical, and air conditioning engineering.
Currently, CIG Motors has trained over 200 young Nigerians, with numbers steadily increasing as the company continues to prioritize skills development in the automotive sector.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Industry, Hon. Enitan Dolapo-Badru, underscored the importance of supporting assembly plants, like CIG Motors.
He emphasized that automotive plants play a pivotal role in reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported vehicles.
“We are proud to support consistently operating assembly plants. To further boost their success and attract more Nigerian customers, we need to shape legislative initiatives that encourage local production. Assembly plants committed to excellence will eventually replace importers of old cars.” he said.
Hon. Dolapo-Badru also suggested that the government could facilitate the growth of local manufacturers by offering affordable payment options, enabling Nigerians to purchase new, locally assembled vehicles.
The tour underscores the importance of fostering homegrown industries and highlighted CIG Motor’s role as a key player in Nigeria’s economic transformation through local auto manufacturing and job creation.
The members of the House of Representatives were at the CIG Motors’ facility and other auto plants in Lagos to witness the companies’ strides in the automotive industry, challenges and their overall contribution to local economic development.
