NADDC DG Calls for Renewed Commitment to ‘Nigeria First’ Agenda in Auto Industry

The Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, has emphasised the importance of local content development in Nigeria’s automotive industry, stating it’s a strategic imperative for sustainable economic growth and a testament to the nation’s potential.

He highlighted that local content development is crucial for economic diversification, job creation, value retention, and capital flight reduction.

Represented by Mrs Felicia Oyebolu, deputy director at the NADDC, the DG reiterated during the second edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit organized by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in Lagos

“Local content development is the engine that will drive this transformation,” Osanipin said, adding that it encourages technology transfer, skill development, and supply chain resilience. He also emphasised the need for concerted effort from all stakeholders to address challenges such as access to finance for local manufacturers, consistent power supply, and the need for a more robust industrial base for raw material processing.

Osanipin urged stakeholders to renew their commitment to the “Nigeria First” agenda, calling for closer collaboration, investment in local capabilities, championing innovation, and advocating for supportive policies. He was of the view that the automotive industry has the potential to be a major driver of Nigeria’s industrialization and economic prosperity, creating jobs and securing a brighter future for generations to come.

The council’s target is to create an enabling environment for local content development, working closely with stakeholders like the Nigeria Automobile Manufacturing Association (NAMA) and the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM).

The NADDC has been working to promote local content development through various initiatives, including incentivising local production, promoting research and development, developing human capital, and ensuring quality standards.

MIKE OCHONMA
EDITOR