Nigeria auto industry stakeholders hold crucial summit in Lagos Thursday

Nigeria auto industry stakeholders hold crucial summit in Lagos Thursday

 

The Nigerian automotive industry will take centre stage this Thursday, July 31, 2025, as the second edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU) convenes at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference Centre, Alausa, Ikeja. With industry reform high on the agenda, the event will bring together top policymakers, regulators and private sector leaders to address the critical challenges and emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s automotive landscape.

Organized by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the summit is expected to spark high-level dialogue and deliver actionable outcomes aimed at strengthening local manufacturing, improving regulatory coherence, and accelerating the shift toward cleaner, more sustainable mobility.

This year’s summit is themed “Nigeria First: Content as Catalyst for Automotive Economy.” It will bring together major regulators including NADDC, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), alongside automakers, dealers, logistics operators, financiers, and investors.

According to NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, the 2025 summit is designed to be more than just a conversation platform — it aims to generate actionable policy outcomes that can drive real industry change.

“The second NAISU comes at a critical time,” Opara said. “The industry continues to battle challenges such as inconsistent import policies, underdeveloped local assembly capabilities, and the urgent need for cleaner energy solutions like electric mobility. What sets NAISU apart is our focus on outcomes, not just dialogue.”

Chairman of the 2025 NAISU Planning Committee, Mike Ochonma, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the event will build on the success of its inaugural edition and offer a more dynamic and solution-focused experience.

“NAISU has quickly become the go-to platform for policy and strategy discussions within the Nigerian auto space,” Ochonma said. “With renewed government interest and a wave of new investments in local assembly and parts production, this year’s summit comes at a pivotal time.”

He added that the summit would serve as a convergence point for the entire automotive ecosystem — from regulators and assemblers to fleet operators, fintech innovators, and the motoring public.

“We’ll be diving deep into the gaps and opportunities in the current automotive policy framework while exploring emerging technologies, alternative fuel vehicles, and innovative financing models that can boost local production and affordability,” he said.

Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, will formally declare the summit open as Special Guest of Honour. NADDC Director-General, Joseph Osanipin, will deliver the keynote address, outlining a roadmap for achieving sustainable mobility in Nigeria.

Top automotive brands are also expected to be in attendance, including Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, Elizade, Nord, Coscharis Motors, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Weststar Associates, and Iron Products Industries (IPI).

The summit will also feature an exhibition showcasing the latest innovations in Nigeria’s automotive sector, including new vehicle models, electric and hybrid prototypes, and cutting-edge mobility solutions tailored for Nigerian roads.