To enhance the growth of the local automotive industry, the National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, is to strengthen its collaboration with key Stakeholders’ to develop robust policies to boost local production and attract Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, in the sector.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Automotive Industry Stakeholders Conference at Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre in Abuja, the Director General of NADDC, Mr Oluwemimo Joseph -Osanipin noted that Stakeholders in the automotive industry are the architects of Nigeria’s diversified economic structure needed for national development.
The Director General seized the opportunity to advise auto makers at the conference to develop strategies towards building a future where made-in-Nigeria vehicles would not only dominate Nigerian roads but also become a symbol of innovation and progress.
In his words “The Nigerian automotive sector is a vital artery of our economy, propelling commerce, facilitating transportation and creating jobs and as we all know, this industry is a dynamic force, intimately intertwined with the economic climate, technological advancements and even the environmental landscape “
“At the National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, we firmly believe that building a robust automotive industry is a marathon not a sprint and it demands unwavering commitment, the agility to adapt when necessary and most importantly, unwavering collaboration to reach a shared finish line “. He said.
Similarly the Managing Director of Bank of Industry, BOI, Dr Olasupo Olusi represented by the Divisional Head, Business Development in BOI, Mr Obaro Osah appluaded NADDC for it’s commitment to develop the auto industry.
Mr. Obaro described the automobile industry as the mother Industry to other sectors of the economy in view of it’s connectivity to other sectors.
He said the auto industry is key to job creation, youth empowerment, poverty eradication and national economic.
He therefore promised BOI financial support to key players and investors towards enhancing the growth of the Industry.
In a remark, the President of Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, Alhaji Yusuf Othman stressed the need for Nigerians to patronize made in Nigeria vehicles to boost the country’s economy.
Earlier, in his opening address, the Convener of the conference and the President Value Plus Creation and Data Technology Managers, Dr Yomi Charles commended NADDC for it’s support in creating enabling environment in the sector, adding that the conference was organized to enable key stakeholders brainstorm on how to fast track the growth of the nation’s automotive industry.
In attendance at the day 2 of the conference were major auto assemblers such as Globe motors, Kewalram Group, Lanre Shittu Motors, Dana Motors, Omaa/ Kojo motors, Foton and other key stakeholders.
The opening ceremony also featured paper presentations and discourse on the way forward in the sector
