The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has commissioned the NADDC Automotive Training Centre (ATC) in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, and graduated 100 participants of the NADDC/Padson Group Nigeria Limited Collaborative Automotive Technical Training Programme.
The event, held on 16th July, 2026, comes barely a month after the commissioning of the Zamfara State Automotive Training Centre on 11th June, 2026, underscoring the Council’s commitment to expanding automotive skills development across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director-General NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, described the Centre as a strategic investment in human capital development and a major milestone in building a skilled workforce to support the growth and modernization of Nigeria’s automotive sector. He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to promoting skills acquisition, technology transfer, innovation, and entrepreneurship through Automotive Training Centres established across the country.
Osanipin stated that the Birnin Kebbi Centre is equipped with modern facilities to provide practical, industry-driven training for youths, technicians, artisans, students, and automotive entrepreneurs.
He noted that the Centre will promote technical certification, job creation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development while supporting the implementation of the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He added that the Centre is strategically positioned to deliver training in emerging automotive technologies, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Delivering his special remarks, the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, described the commissioning as another milestone in the Federal Government’s drive for industrial development, human capital advancement, and economic transformation. He said the Centre represents a platform for innovation, technical education, entrepreneurship, employment generation, and sustainable economic growth. The Minister further disclosed that the Federal Government is expanding local vehicle production, promoting technology transfer, encouraging the adoption of CNG and EV technologies, and engaging international investors to strengthen Nigeria’s automotive value chain.
Representing the Governor of Kebbi State, His Excellency Dr. Nasir Idris, the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, OFR, expressed the Governor’s appreciation to NADDC for establishing the Centre in the state. He stated that the presentation of certificates to the graduating trainees symbolized the unlocking of new opportunities and a brighter future for Kebbi youths.
The Deputy Governor noted with pride that the Kebbi Automotive Training Centre is the 24th Automotive Training Centre established by NADDC nationwide. He described the Centre as more than a workshop, but a hub of innovation dedicated to modern vehicle maintenance, advanced automotive mechatronics, and green mobility technologies, particularly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion. According to him, the Centre will equip youths with cutting-edge diagnostic and maintenance skills, preparing them not only for today’s jobs but also for the future of transportation in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Governing Board of NADDC, His Eminence, Chief Emma Eneukwu, described the Automotive Training Centre as a landmark investment in Nigeria’s automotive future. He stated that the facility would address the shortage of skilled automotive technicians and engineers through practical training in vehicle diagnostics, maintenance, CNG conversion, Electric Vehicle (EV) systems, and other emerging automotive technologies, while promoting employment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and support for local vehicle manufacturing and maintenance across the North-West region.
Congratulating the 100 graduating trainees, Otunba Osanipin urged them to apply their newly acquired knowledge responsibly, embrace innovation, and uphold professionalism as ambassadors of technical excellence. He reaffirmed NADDC’s commitment to expanding technical training infrastructure and strategic partnerships that will accelerate industrialization, create employment opportunities, empower Nigerian youths, and strengthen Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem in line with the Federal Government’s vision for sustainable economic growth.
