By Moses Ebosele, ebosele@hotmail.com. —
Indications have emerged that the long-awaited National Auto Industry Development Policy (NAIDP) may soon take effect, following the approval of the Nigeria Industry Policy (NIP) by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
With the FEC’s approval, the NIP has become an official policy document guiding Nigeria’s industrial strategy, although it is yet to be enacted into law by the National Assembly. The development is widely seen as a critical step toward repositioning key sectors of the economy, including the automotive industry.
Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, gave this assurance at the 18th edition of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) International Awards held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos. He noted that the approval of the NIP lays the groundwork for the next major milestone—the enactment of the National Auto Policy into law.
Represented at the event by the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, the minister emphasized government’s commitment to prioritizing the auto sector.
“The Nigeria Industry Policy has been signed by the Federal Executive Council, and it will guide Nigeria’s industrial development,” Osanipin said. “The next step is the enactment of the Auto Policy into law. These are deliberate efforts to ensure that the automotive sector is given the attention and priority it deserves.”
Industry stakeholders believe the eventual passage of the auto policy into law will provide clarity, stability and incentives needed to boost local vehicle production, attract investment and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.
