The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), on Wednesday lead the House Committee on Industry on an oversight visit to major Auto Assembly plants in Lagos, as part of a concerted effort to address the challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s automotive industry.
According to NADDC, the event marked a significant step towards fostering collaboration between the executive, legislative bodies, and the private sector in an effort to enhance the local Auto Industry. At the briefing, NADDC Director General, Joseph Osanipin emphasized the importance of joint efforts in overcoming challenges facing the sector. He stressed the pivotal role the industry could play in solving Nigeria’s unemployment crisis and boosting the national economy through job creation and local manufacturing.Osanipin stated “Today is a special day not just for NADDC or for the House Committee on Industry but for the entire country.”Working together from the Executive to the Legislative Arms, we must find a common understanding and address the challenges we face in the Auto Industry.” He emphasized the Industry’s potential to contribute significantly to job creation and economic stimulation noting that achieving these goals would require greater cooperation and sustained investment. The committee visited key auto assembly plants in Lagos, Mikano, CIG and Dangote Sinotruk for Day one. The visits allowed the team firsthand observation of the capabilities, challenges, and progress of the local automotive industry.In his address, Hon. Dolapo Badru, Chairman of the House Committee on Industry, expressed his appreciation for the industry’s growth but raised concerns about key gaps that needed to be addressed. He highlighted the importance of boosting local manufacturing, particularly the production of Completely Knocked Down (CKD) vehicles which are essential for the growth of the sector.He also pointed out the absence of service centers across the country, which he described as critical for customer satisfaction and the long-term success of the industry.He stressed the need for the establishment of service centers nationwide and highlighted that lack of such infrastructure could discourage consumers from purchasing new vehicles. Badru also expressed the Committee’s readiness for legislative support through necessary legal reforms, to improve production processes in the industry. NADDC reiterated its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to create a conducive environment for the growth of Nigeria’s automotive industry.NADDC explained that the oversight visit is an important step in aligning legislative support with the needs of the industry, ensuring that both challenges and opportunities are addressed for the benefit of local manufacturers, consumers, and the Nigerian economy at large.
