The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), led by its Director-General, Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, has facilitated a two-day oversight visit by the Senate Committee on Industry to key automotive manufacturing and assembly facilities in the South-East region.
The visit, which took place from 29th to 30th October 2025, covered major indigenous manufacturers including Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), OMAA Motors, and ANAMMCO.
During the tour, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, lauded the remarkable progress made by Nigeria’s indigenous vehicle manufacturers, describing the automotive sector as a critical driver of industrialization, job creation, and economic diversification.
“From Innoson in Nnewi to OMAA Motors and ANAMMCO in Enugu, we have seen huge potentials being underutilized due to lack of patronage by Federal and State Governments. If the government patronizes our local assemblers and CNG bus producers, Nigeria would save valuable foreign exchange and strengthen its economy. The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is truly working, and these indigenous assemblers are clear testimony to that,” Senator Fadahunsi stated.
He further emphasized that Nigerian manufacturers have the capacity to produce a wide range of vehicles, provided they receive adequate policy support and funding from government institutions.
“We are urging Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to patronize locally assembled vehicles. Every vehicle produced and purchased in Nigeria contributes directly to our economy and creates jobs. Innoson currently employs over 7,000 people, while ANAMMCO has the capacity to employ up to 5,000. The Senate will continue to support these efforts through legislation that encourages mass production and gradually reduces the importation of used vehicles,” he added.
In his remarks, Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, Director-General of NADDC, commended the Senate Committee for its commitment to advancing the nation’s automotive sector through effective oversight and stakeholder engagement.
“This visit is timely and impactful. The automotive industry has the capacity to generate significant multiplier effects across the economy — from employment and technical skills to marketing and finance. Our inspection revealed that Nigeria has the expertise and capacity to meet local demand for automotive components such as plastics. For instance, Innoson is producing vital plastic parts locally, while ANAMMCO is revamping previously grounded vehicles into fully functional ones,” he said.
Chief Osanipin also highlighted the Federal Government’s ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening local automotive production through supportive policies and access to financing.
“With the Nigerian First Policy of the current administration and the introduction of credit support schemes such as CREDICORP, government is not only encouraging institutional patronage but also enabling individuals to finance locally assembled vehicles. In addition, new legislative measures are being developed to promote investment and accelerate growth in the auto industry,” the NADDC boss explained.
The oversight visit provided the Senate Committee an opportunity to engage directly with manufacturers, assess industry challenges, and identify policy and legislative interventions needed to enhance productivity, stimulate investment, and expand employment opportunities in the automotive sector.
The NADDC reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to driving Nigeria’s automotive development agenda through effective collaboration with stakeholders, strategic policy implementation, and promotion of local content. The Council emphasized that the growth of the auto industry remains central to achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, positioning the sector as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial and economic transformation.
