The Senate Committee on Industry, in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), on Monday organized a stakeholders’ roundtable on the Nigerian Automotive Sector with the theme: “Revitalizing Nigeria’s Automotive Industry: Legislative Pathway for Innovation, Investment and Industrial Growth.”
Deputy Senate Leader Sen. Lola Ashiru, representing the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, emphasized the pivotal role of the automobile sector in national development. He stated, “The automotive industry is not merely an economic sector; it is the spine of modern industrial civilization. A nation truly manufactures its own destiny when it builds its own vehicles.”
He reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th Senate, noting that it stands ready to provide the legal framework needed to encourage investment, protect local industries, promote innovation, and guide Nigeria confidently into an era where electric vehicles, clean energy, and modern automotive standards become the norm rather than the exception.
He added that legislation alone is not enough—industry stakeholders must act decisively, government agencies must work with clarity, investors must show courage, and all parties must forge a shared national purpose to achieve meaningful progress.
In his welcome address, Sen. Francis A. Fadahunsi, the Chairman Committee on Industry explained that the forum aims to bridge the considerable gap between the potential of Nigeria’s automotive sector and existing realities.
He highlighted the far-reaching implications of an underdeveloped auto industry and emphasized the need to review the implementation status of the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) 2014–2024. He called for deeper discussions on backward integration, local content development, industry challenges, and policy and legislative actions required to sustain sectoral growth.
Other stakeholders also echoed the need for a more enabling environment that supports and promotes local content production in the automotive value chain.
The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, stressed the importance of strong legislative backing in securing the future of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
He explained that although the NAIDP—introduced in 2014—has delivered commendable progress in vehicle assembly, skills development, infrastructural expansion, and foreign investment, the lack of formal legal reinforcement exposes the sector to uncertainty.
Key achievements under the NAIDP include the revival of local vehicle assembly by global and indigenous brands, the establishment of 18 Automotive Training Centres, the development of Component and Emission Testing Centres, the training of thousands of youths and engineers, an installed production capacity of more than 400,000 vehicles, and the attraction of over $1 billion in foreign investment.
The DG also highlighted recent strategic collaborations with Hejia Industrial Group, CREDICORP, and AMDON, alongside the launch of the End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Regulation, all aimed at improving regulatory oversight, stimulating investment, and increasing consumer access.
He further outlined the seven pillars of the updated NAIDP 2023 and emphasized the urgent need for legislative support—especially the passage of the NAIDP Bill into law—to boost investor confidence, enhance research and development, and establish a dedicated Automotive Development Fund.
He concluded by stressing that the global shift toward Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technologies requires proactive, forward-looking legislation.
He urged the National Assembly to enact the NAIDP Bill to unlock major private-sector investments, generate employment opportunities, and secure Nigeria’s long-term industrial growth.
