The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), in collaboration with the Kebbi State Government, on Wednesday flagged off the Argungu Motor Rally 2026 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The motor rally is one of the key activities lined up for the 61st Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, further expanding the festival’s scope to include automotive innovation and industry development.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, said he was honoured to officiate the flag-off ceremony and commended the organisers for their foresight and dedication in bringing the initiative to life.
According to him, the Motor Rally represents a unique convergence of four critical elements—art, culture, technology, and innovation—showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage alongside the growing capacity of the nation’s automotive sector.
Osanipin expressed profound appreciation to indigenous vehicle assemblers—Lanre Shittu Motors, CIG Motors, KOJO Motors, and Mikano Motors—for providing the vehicles participating in the rally. He noted that their involvement demonstrates the strength and readiness of Nigeria’s local automotive industry.
Highlighting the Federal Government’s Nigeria First Policy, the NADDC boss emphasised the importance of patronising Made-in-Nigeria products. He disclosed that all vehicles featured in the rally were assembled locally, underscoring government’s commitment to promoting domestic production and reducing reliance on imports.
He explained that the rally route would traverse diverse terrains, beginning from Abuja through Kaduna to Kano; from Kano through Zamfara to Sokoto; onward to Birnin Kebbi; and finally terminating in Argungu. The challenging route, he said, is designed to demonstrate the durability, performance, and maturity of locally assembled vehicles under varying road and environmental conditions.
Osanipin reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) remains committed to collaborating with ministries, departments, and agencies willing to champion and patronise Made-in-Nigeria goods in line with the administration’s industrialisation drive.
The flag-off ceremony attracted several dignitaries and key industry stakeholders, including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; the representative of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Hajiya Salamatu Hussaini; the Managing Director of OMAA Motors; and the Chief Executive Officer of CIG Motors, among others.
The Argungu Motor Rally 2026 is expected to boost public confidence in locally assembled vehicles while reinforcing the integration of culture, tourism, and industrial development in Nigeria’s economic growth agenda.
