• Osanipin: NAIDP needs  legal support

By Moses Akaigwe

In line with its goal of strengthening Nigeria’s automotive industry and creating a more enabling environment for local assemblers, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) led the House Committee on Industry on an oversight visit to key automotive assembly plants in Lagos State. on  October 14, 2025.

The visit underscored ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to support industrial growth through improved policy frameworks, infrastructure development and stronger partnerships with private sector players in the automotive value chain.

The Director-General of NADDC, Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, accompanied by the Chairman of the House Committee on Industry,. Dr. Enitan Dolapo Badru and other distinguished committee members visited CIG Motors, DAG Bajaj, and Simba Group (TVS) on day one of their visit.

The three leading automotive assemblers contribute significantly to local vehicle production and mobility development in Nigeria.

During the tour, the delegation inspected assembly lines for motorcycles, tricycles and modern vehicles, gaining firsthand insights into local production processes and the challenges faced by assemblers. Key discussions centered on job creation, local component manufacturing, skills development and the role of natural resources in deepening Nigeria’s automotive production capacity.

Speaking during the visit, the NADDC Director-General emphasized the Council’s commitment to bridging gaps within the sector by fostering policies that promote technology transfer, local innovation and sustainable manufacturing practices.

He also reiterated the Council’s ongoing collaborations with investors to enhance local content development and ensure the sector aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

In his remarks, Dr. Badru commended the progress made by NADDC and expressed the Committee’s resolve to provide the necessary legislative support to ensure that local assemblers thrive in a competitive and globally evolving industry.

The Lagos oversight visit marked day one of the Committee’s engagement with industry stakeholders, aimed at strengthening accountability, identifying growth bottlenecks and accelerating the realization of Nigeria’s automotive industrialization goals.

In a related development, the NADDC  Director General has reiterated the urgent need for the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Policy (NAIDP) to be passed into law, describing it as a critical enabler of industrial transformation and economic diversification in Nigeria.

Speaking during his keynote address at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) event themed “The Impact of Non-Passage of the NAID Policy into Law on the Automobile Industry,” Mr. Osanipin stated that the absence of legislative backing for the NAIDP continues to expose the sector to uncertainties, discourage investors, and stall Nigeria’s ambition of becoming West Africa’s automotive hub.

“Since its introduction in 2014, the NAIDP has been a comprehensive roadmap for developing our automotive sector—creating jobs, attracting investment, and deepening technology transfer,” Mr. Osanipin stated. “However, without the law, we risk reversing the gains we’ve made and losing competitiveness to neighbouring African countries that already have codified auto policies under AfCFTA.”

The NADDC DG further noted that over 58 automotive assemblers have made investment commitments under the policy, with more than 30 companies actively assembling vehicles in Nigeria today.

He cited the success of local brands such as Innoson, Jet and Nord, and the Council’s progress in areas like capacity building, component development, market expansion, and green mobility innovation.

According to Osanipin, the Council has trained over 30,000 auto technicians across 18 training centres, established material and component test centres in Zaria and Enugu, and completed solar-powered EV charging stations to support Nigeria’s transition to clean energy vehicles.

“Our vision is to build a complete automotive ecosystem—from assembly plants to component production, research and development, and skills training—while promoting a circular economy through vehicle recycling and green mobility,” he added.

“We therefore call on the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other private sector stakeholders to join us in advocating for the passage of this policy into law.”

The President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, FCA. commended the NADDC for its steadfast commitment to developing Nigeria’s automotive sector and reaffirmed the Chamber’s readiness to support the policy’s passage.

“The LCCI recognizes the NAIDP as a transformative framework capable of driving industrialization, creating employment, and positioning Nigeria as an automotive hub in Africa,” Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, said.

“However, the absence of a legal framework continues to create regulatory uncertainty and discourages both local and foreign investments. We are committed to working closely with NADDC, the National Assembly, and relevant ministries to ensure that the NAIDP receives the legislative attention it deserves.”