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FG’s Nigeria-First policy excites NADDC, automakers

Published

1 month ago

May 13, 2025

FG’s Nigeria-First policy excites NADDC, automakers

Key stakeholders in the Nigerian automotive industry including Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, and indigenous auto assemblers have applauded the ‘Nigeria First’ policy announced last week by the Federal Government as an initiative that will drive patronage for the auto manufacturing plants in the country.

The NADDC DG is particularly excited about the development. He expressed optimism that the policy initiated by President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government would impact positively on the operations of the local auto plants and on the rest of the industry.

His view was also supported by the Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM), Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma, CON, who said the new policy was one of the best decisions by the Tinubu administration so far.

Managing Director of Dana Motors, Jacky Hathiramani, described the policy as vision for a prosperous Nigeria.

Announced on Monday, May 5, 2025, the Renewed Hope Nigeria First policy mandates all federal ministries, departments and agencies to give absolute priority to Nigerian goods, services and know‑how when spending public funds.

Reacting to the news in an interview, Osanipin said, “Yes, we are happy, especially in the auto sector. This is the kind of strategic and high-powered decision that will help to improve the patronage of locally assembled vehicles.

“Coming from Mr President, nothing beats this in terms of supporting local manufacturers. So, we at the NADDC, we have seen it, and we are happy.”

He said that following the announcement, the NADDC had updated its list of auto manufacturers in the country which contains their brands, products and other details.

The Council’s report which has always been with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) – the Federal Government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing public procurement processes – would soon be submitted to the appropriate government quarters.

The BPP is saddled with very important roles in the implementation of the ‘Nigeria First’ Initiative.

“The report on the auto plants and their products) being with the BPP is important, so that whoever is interested to work with the bureau will know the locally assembled vehicles that are available.

“The report with BPP, shows the auto brands that are available in Nigeria. It clearly shows that Company A has so so brand and vehicles; they have this pick-up, they have this and that vehicles.”

The ‘Nigeria First’ policy empowers the BPP to ensure that all (100 percent) government procurements are made in Nigeria, but could approve patronage of imported products where there are no local alternatives.

The DG said the Council was eagerly looking forward to the commencement of implementation, saying, “The BPP is expected to issue a guideline on the implementation, and we at the NADDC are eagerly waiting for the guideline.

“President Tinubu has done his own, which is paving the way for all us, Osanipin remarked. “It is now left for us to come up with how it is going to be operational. We are very happy that the whole country is aware and Nigerians are ready for this. We will push it and let Nigerians know the types of vehicles available.”

Also reacting, the Chairman of Innoson Vehicles applauded President Tinubu for being thoughtful enough to introduce the policy which he believes would generate a lot of patronage for serious manufacturers of vehicles in Nigeria, thereby helping them to increase their production.

“Nigerians should be grateful to President Tinubu for the ‘Nigeria First’ initiative. If it is fully implemented, it will help manufacturers in Nigeria, especially we in the auto sector. My concern is full implementation,” he said.

Chief Chukwuma said the auto plants in Nigeria are capable of meeting all the demands of the MDAs, arguing that there is hardly any kind of vehicle they need that cannot be manufactured in Nigeria.

He cited the example of his IVM plant in Nnewi which manufactures a wide range of passenger and commercial vehicles with high level of local content, including cars, SUVs, pick-ups, buses of various capacities, and fire trucks, which are offered in petrol/diesel and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) options.

“So, they don’t have any reason to patronise imported vehicles. Even if it is CNG they want, we are ready. We started manufacturing CNG buses two years before the government made it a policy. So, we are the leader in that technology.”

Chukwuma said a multi-billion naira new IVM plant manufacturing only CNG and electric vehicles would soon come on stream in Nnewi.

To the Managing Director of Dana Motors Limited, Jacky Hathiramani, the policy is a vision for a prosperous Nigeria through economic stability, social development, and the promotion of local industries.

Hathiramani said, “The policy being approved would foster so much more for the country.

“It will be more promising for automobiles, especially in areas like local assembly, supply chain development, and potential incentives for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and conversion centres.”

Dana Motors’ auto plant located in the Isolo area of Lagos assembles a wide range of eco-friendly vehicles, including passenger cars and CNG-powered buses of various capacities.

As the sole representative of the Kia brand in Nigeria, Dana Motors also provides in the local market multi award-winning electric cars, including EV3, EV5, and EV9.

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FRSC, NADDC, NRC, others to discuss sustainable transportation at 11th Nigeria Transport Lecture Thursday

Published

11 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Trends Admin

FRSC, NADDC, NRC, others to discuss sustainable transportation at 11th Nigeria Transport Lecture Thursday

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Nigerian Shippers’ Council, among others, are expected to dissect and discuss sustainable transportation in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges, the theme of the 11th Nigeria Transport Lecture (NTL).
The event billed to take place on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, is organized by Transport Day Media (www.transportday.com.ng), a monthly hard copy and daily online publication.
The discourse, which will involve industry players from both the public and private sectors, will x-ray sustainability, cutting across all modes of transportation in Nigeria.
According to the Editor of Transport Day Media, Mr. Frank Kintum, the topic is relevant in contemporary times because Nigeria cannot be left behind in the embrace of cleaner and sustainable transportation.
He said, “We cannot run away from the fact that we have to continuously discuss and take action on issues concerning sustainable transportation because it comes with a lot of benefits in terms of cost cutting, life style and general productivity”.
He added that the annual Transport Lecture which had held in Lagos and Abuja in the past, remains a platform for relevant stakeholders in the transport and logistics value chain to discuss and exchange ideas on key contemporary topics as they unfold.
Some lead paper presenters in past editions included MD, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), 1st Edition, 2013; DG, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), 5th Edition, 2018; Former Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Anthonia Ekpa, 9th Edition, 2022, and Corps Marshal of the FRSC, 10th edition, 2024.

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NAJA announces date for 2nd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2025

Trends Admin

NAJA announces date for 2nd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit

…to focus on Nigeria first, local content development

The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has announced that the second edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU) will hold on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

This year’s summit, themed “Nigeria First: Local Content as Catalyst for Automotive Economy”, will bring together key stakeholders in government, manufacturing, trade, among others to chart a forward-thinking path for the nation’s automotive industry.

Organised in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the Nigeria Association of Automotive Manufacturers (NAMA), and the African Association of Automobile Manufacturers (AAAM), the summit aims to deepen the national conversation around local content integration and the long-term viability of Nigeria’s automotive sector.

It will also dwell on the Federal Government recently launched Nigeria’s First initiative and the buying of the locally assembled automobiles.

The event will be declared open by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, while Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, Director-General of the NADDC, will be the Chief Host.

Commenting on the importance of the summit, Mike Ochonma, Chairman of the NAISU Planning Committee, said: “This year’s summit focuses on how local content can drive sustainable industrialization in Nigeria’s auto sector.

“We are bringing the right voices together—from regulators and customs officials to local manufacturers and traders—so that policies and actions can align.

“Local content is more than policy; it’s the foundation for job creation, skill transfer, and industrial sovereignty. NAISU 2025 will help unify efforts and challenges to go beyond imported solutions.”

Some of those expected to make presentations at the summit are Chief Anselm Ilekuba, Chairman, Association of Local Content Manufacturers (ALCMAN); Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); Hon. Ngozi Emechebe, President, Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA).

Theodore Opara, Chairman of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), the umbrella body for journalists covering the automotive sector in Nigeria, said, “As auto journalists, we understand the power of information in shaping national policy. NAISU is our contribution to a better-informed, locally driven auto economy.”

“The future of Nigeria’s auto sector lies in how we leverage our local resources, manpower, and innovation. NAISU offers a platform for strategic collaboration that reflects NAJA’s own mandate to build a resilient automotive ecosystem.”

The 2025 NAISU will feature keynote addresses, panel sessions, and networking engagements centred on how Nigeria can reduce dependency on imported components and increase domestic production capacity.

Issues slated for discussion include: Custom tariff frameworks and local assembly incentives; Supply chain localization and small-scale manufacturing; Technology transfer and skilled workforce development and Regulatory compliance and standard enforcement.

The Nigeria Auto Industry Summit is fast becoming the premier annual forum for strategic discourse on the automotive future of Africa’s largest economy.

For participation, partnership, or media inquiries, stakeholders are encouraged to contact the NAJA Secretariat or visit the association’s official communication channels.

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NEW ERA to commission Nigeria’s first Jetour-branded showroom Wednesday

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2025

Trends Admin

NEW ERA to commission Nigeria’s first Jetour-branded showroom Wednesday

NEW ERA Autovehicle Services Limited, a new player in Nigeria’s automotive industry, is set to officially commission its state-of-the-art dealership outfit in the prestigious Lekki area of Lagos on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

This landmark event marks a significant milestone as the Lekki showroom becomes the first Jetour-branded dealership in Nigeria, just two years after the Jetour brand made its entry into the Nigerian automotive market. The new showroom will serve as a flagship hub for the Jetour brand, reflecting its cutting-edge design, premium experience, and customer-centric approach.

The commissioning ceremony will bring together prominent auto industry personalities, top government officials, and captains of industry from across the country, highlighting the importance of this development to Nigeria’s growing automotive ecosystem.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Kemi Koyejo, Chief Executive Officer of NEW ERA Autovehicle Services Limited, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “We are proud to unveil this pioneering Jetour-branded showroom in Lekki.

“It reflects our commitment to innovation, excellence, and meeting the evolving needs of Nigerian motorists with global-standard services and vehicles.”

The Lekki facility will not only showcase the latest models from Jetour’s lineup but will also provide world-class aftersales support, technical servicing, and a unique brand experience tailored to the Nigerian market.

The opening signals NEW ERA’s strategic vision to establish itself as a key stakeholder in the transformation of the Nigerian auto sector and a driving force in the promotion of globally recognized brands like Jetour.