NADDC Eyes Media Alliance to Fast-Track Automotive Industry Growth

NADDC Eyes Media Alliance to Fast-Track Automotive Industry Growth

 

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has identified stronger collaboration with specialised motoring media as a strategic imperative for accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s automotive industry, saying sustained public awareness, investor confidence and policy support are crucial to transforming the country into a leading vehicle manufacturing hub in Africa.

The Council stated this while receiving the Motoring World Resilience in National Automotive Development Award during the 30th anniversary celebration of Motoring World magazine in Lagos.

The award recognises NADDC’s consistent commitment to promoting local vehicle manufacturing, skills development and industrial growth despite economic headwinds and policy challenges.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, the Director of the General Services Department, Mrs. Susan Bisong-Taiwo, reaffirmed the Council’s determination to position Nigeria as a leading automotive manufacturing and innovation hub in Africa.

In a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Director-General and titled “Motoring Media as a Catalyst for Automotive Industry Growth in Nigeria,” Osanipin said specialised motoring media remains indispensable to the country’s automotive industrialisation drive by promoting investment, shaping public perception and deepening understanding of emerging mobility technologies.

He noted that across the world, the media had played a strategic role in supporting local manufacturing, educating consumers, stimulating policy debates, attracting investment and strengthening confidence in the automotive industry.

“The media is the bridge between government, industry and the public. It informs. It educates. It influences perception. And, importantly, it drives national conversations,” he said.

According to him, the global automotive industry is witnessing unprecedented transformation driven by electric mobility, alternative fuels, smart manufacturing and green transportation technologies, adding that Nigeria must position itself to benefit from these emerging opportunities.

Osanipin disclosed that NADDC is implementing strategic programmes aimed at transforming Nigeria from a vehicle-consuming nation into a competitive automotive manufacturing and innovation centre. The initiatives, he said, include electric vehicle development, compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion programmes, local content promotion, automotive component manufacturing, skills acquisition and strategic partnerships across the industry.

He stressed that government policies alone cannot deliver the desired transformation, urging the motoring media to simplify automotive policies for public understanding, educate Nigerians on cleaner mobility solutions, encourage patronage of locally assembled vehicles and sustain constructive engagement among policymakers, investors, manufacturers and consumers.

The Director-General also underscored the importance of positive and balanced narratives in attracting investment to the sector.

“Where the narrative is dominated only by challenges and uncertainties, investor confidence weakens. But when the media responsibly highlights innovation, progress and opportunities, it inspires confidence and stimulates growth,” he said.

Osanipin commended Motoring World magazine for its resilience and invaluable contributions to automotive journalism, policy advocacy and industry development over the past 30 years, describing its longevity in Nigeria’s challenging media environment as a reflection of professionalism, relevance and dedication.

He maintained that stronger collaboration among government institutions, industry operators and specialised motoring media would become even more critical as Nigeria advances its automotive industrialisation and energy transition agenda.

Highlighting Nigeria’s prospects, he said the country has significant automotive potential arising from its large market, youthful population, growing technical capacity, increasing investor interest and abundant natural resources. He, however, stressed that policy consistency, infrastructure development and sustained stakeholder collaboration remain essential to unlocking the sector’s full potential.

“If government, industry and the media work together strategically, Nigeria can emerge as a major automotive hub on the African continent,” he said.

The Motoring World Resilience in National Automotive Development Award honours institutions and individuals that have demonstrated exceptional commitment and resilience in advancing Nigeria’s automotive industrialisation despite prevailing economic and policy challenges.