By Moses Akaigwe
Key stakeholders in the automotive sector are expected to converge on the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, July 31, 2025, for the second edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU).
They are to brainstorm on the theme “Nigeria First: Local Content as Catalyst for Automotive Economy.”
The summit is organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the Nigeria Association of Automotive Manufacturers (NAMA) and the African Association of Automobile Manufacturers (AAAM).
This year’s edition will seek to enhance national discourse on local content integration as a vital pillar for the growth and development of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
It will also dwell on the Federal Government’s Nigeria First initiative launched recently, aimed at galvanising patronage of the locally assembled automobiles.
The summit is expected to bring together policymakers, regulators, manufacturers, traders and the media to brainstorm on strategies that will transform the country from a largely import-dependent industry to a largely self-reliant automotive ecosystem.
The event will be declared open by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, and will have the Director-General of NADDC, Mr. Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, as the chief host.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mike Ochonma, chairman of the NAISU Planning Committee, underscored the significance of this year’s theme: “This summit is about action. It’s about putting local content at the heart of Nigeria’s industrial road map. We are bringing regulators, customs officers, manufacturers, traders, and journalists into one room to foster synergy and policy cohesion.”
“Local content is not just policy langua. It is the backbone of job creation, skills development, and industrial self-reliance. NAISU 2025 will challenge us to look inward for sustainable solutions.”
Prominent industry and government leaders expected to make presentations at NAISU 2025 include: Chief Anselm Ilekuba, Chairman, Association of Local Content Manufacturers (ALCMAN); Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); Hon. Ngozi Emechebe, President, Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA)
In a statement, Mr.Theodore Opara, Chairman of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting a knowledge-based transformation of the automotive industry.
“As auto journalists, we recognize that information shapes policy. NAISU is our contribution to fostering a well-informed, locally driven auto economy.”
“The future of Nigeria’s auto sector lies in how we harness our own resources, talent, and innovations. NAISU creates a vital forum where public and private stakeholders can collaborate and strategise for a resilient industry.”
NAISU 2025 will feature panel discussions and strategic networking sessions.
Key areas of focus will include: Custom Tariff Frameworks & Local Assembly Incentives; Supply Chain Localization & Small-Scale Manufacturing; Technology Transfer & Skilled Workforce Development; Regulatory Compliance & Standards Enforcement
The summit is expected to produce actionable policy recommendations that could shape Nigeria’s automotive agenda for years to come.