In a renewed effort to revitalise Nigeria’s automotive industry, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh, has officially inaugurated the newly reconstituted Governing Board of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC). The 12-member board, chaired by Chief Emma Eneukwu, was inaugurated on Wednesday in Abuja.
At the event, Senator Enoh urged the board members to approach their responsibilities with a forward-thinking mindset and strategic dedication, noting that the government is strongly committed to driving growth within the sector.
“We are going to give it a serious push,” Enoh stated, underscoring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s keen interest in the development of Nigeria’s automotive value chain. “It’s a work in progress. So anything we desire, the president will give us,” he added, signalling executive backing for the council’s initiatives.
A Vision for a Regional Automotive Hub
In his remarks, board chairman Chief Emma Eneukwu—who also serves as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman (South)—expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the appointment and pledged to work with “patriotic resolve and strategic foresight” to transform Nigeria into a leading automotive hub in Africa.
“Our task is to reposition Nigeria as a major hub for automotive manufacturing, assembly, innovation, and technology in Africa,” Eneukwu reiterated, highlighting the board’s commitment to translating policy into tangible outcomes.
Eneukwu emphasised the strategic role of the NADDC in leading the automotive sector to deliver on national economic and industrialisation goals.
Focus on Production Volume, Not Just Plant Numbers
Also speaking at the inauguration, the Director General of the NADDC, Joseph Osanipin, outlined the council’s operational focus, stressing that increasing production volume—rather than merely adding more manufacturing plants—would be the key indicator of progress.
“It is not the number of production plants that really matters, but the production volume of a particular plant,” Osanipin said.
According to the DG, Nigeria has already seen a significant improvement in vehicle assembly numbers. Prior to his administration, annual output hovered between 3,000 and 4,000 vehicles. That number has since climbed to nearly 12,000 before the start of 2024.
“Before we came in, we were doing about 3,000 to 4,000. That has increased. We have done close to 12,000 before 2024,” he noted.
Future Plans: Made-in-Nigeria Vehicle Exports
Looking ahead, Osanipin revealed that the NADDC is preparing to commence exports of made-in-Nigeria vehicles and automotive machinery, a move that could signal Nigeria’s emergence as a key player in regional and continental auto markets.
“We’ll begin to export made-in-Nigeria vehicles and machines—very durable ones that people can trust,” he affirmed.
To meet these ambitious goals, Osanipin said the NADDC board is expected to collaborate closely with a wide range of industry stakeholders—from raw material suppliers and component manufacturers to vehicle assemblers and regulators such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“We need to work together. It’s easier now because board members represent different segments of the sector. This makes it easier to engage all relevant stakeholders,” he said.
A Strategic Mandate
The newly inaugurated board is expected to play a critical role in shaping and implementing policy frameworks aimed at boosting local content, encouraging innovation, and ultimately positioning Nigeria as a centre for automotive excellence in Africa.
With presidential backing, a rejuvenated council, and an emphasis on production capacity and export potential, Nigeria’s automotive sector may be on the brink of a long-awaited transformation.