Auto
Nigeria First: Auto industry leaders, others push for bold local content towards economic revival
Nigeria First: Auto industry leaders, others push for bold local content towards economic revival
The call for renewed commitment to local content development took the centre stage at the second edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU), held in Lagos on Thursday.
Organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the summit brought together key players from government, regulatory bodies, manufacturing, finance, and development sectors.
It was held under the theme ‘Nigeria First: Local Content as Catalyst for Automotive Economy’ with the collective goal of ensuring a sustainable transformation of Nigeria’s automotive industry through localisation.
NAJA Chairman, Mr. Theodore Opara, set the agenda with a rallying cry: “If Nigeria must industrialize, the auto sector must lead. If the auto sector must thrive, local content must be the engine.”
He decried the industry’s heavy dependence on imported vehicles and parts such as tyres, batteries, and brake pads—despite Nigeria’s abundant natural resources and capable workforce.
The real hurdle, he argued, was not technical capacity but a lack of will power, coordination, and policy clarity.
Opara urged all stakeholders—OEMs, regulators, financiers, and consumers—to “Buy Nigeria, Drive Nigeria, Trust Nigeria,” underlining NAJA’s ongoing efforts through initiatives like the NAISU, NAJA Training Workshop, and NAJA Awards.
NADDC Director General, Mr. Joseph Osanipin, reinforced the urgency, calling local content not just an option but a strategic necessity.
He highlighted NADDC’s ongoing initiatives in production incentives, skills development, and R&D support—designed to anchor a resilient, locally driven automotive ecosystem.
“Local content is the engine that will drive economic transformation,” Osanipin said.
Assistant Corps Marshal Ann Oladayo, representing FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, linked automotive policy to public safety.
She emphasized that as Nigeria localizes production, adherence to safety and environmental standards must remain paramount.
“Road safety, automotive standards, and local content are deeply interwoven,” she stated, affirming FRSC’s commitment to shaping policies that foster safe and ethical manufacturing.
In her keynote address, Ms. Victoria Backhaus-Jerling, CEO of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), stressed the importance of policy stability. She called for the legalisation of Nigeria’s automotive policy to attract investment, ensure consistency, and shield the market from substandard imports and used vehicle dumping.
“Without a legal framework, Nigeria risks falling behind countries like South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, and Ghana,” she warned. “Africa is the world’s last automotive frontier—and Nigeria is pivotal to its future.”
Backhaus-Jerling reaffirmed AAAM’s commitment to working with governments across Africa to align policies and strengthen cross-border value chains under the AfCFTA framework.
- Across multiple panels and presentations, consensus emerged on several urgent priorities:
- Fast-track legislation of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP)
- Clear transition from SKD (semi-knocked down) to CKD (completely knocked down) assembly
- Incentives for local investors and financing solutions for consumers
- Enforcement of quality standards to curb substandard imports
- Consumer education to increase acceptance of made-in-Nigeria vehicles and parts
As the summit wrapped up, the tone was one of cautious optimism as stakeholders agreed that success would depend on measurable outcomes, legislative backing, and continuous collaboration.
A communiqué summarising the summit’s resolutions was read, which will be sent to the Presidency, National Assembly, and key MDAs.
“Let’s leave not with just communiqués and handshakes,” said Opara. “Let’s leave with commitments and partnerships to make ‘Nigeria First’ a true national strategy for economic transformation.”
Auto
Abuja Demand Rises as Jetour Brings X70 Plus Experience to FCT
Abuja Demand Rises as Jetour Brings X70 Plus Experience to FCT
Jetour Nigeria is taking its seven-seater X70 Plus SUV to Abuja as rising interest from motorists in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states fuels the brand’s latest push to deepen its presence across Nigeria.
The X70 Plus will headline the Jetour Experience Abuja, holding from September 22 to 24 at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, following the strong response recorded during the Lagos edition, where motorists turned out for test drives and made enquiries about Jetour models.
The Abuja activation is designed to give prospective buyers direct access to the X70 Plus and other models, with opportunities to test-drive the vehicles, engage product specialists and experience their technology, safety and comfort features.
The X70 Plus is positioned as a family-oriented SUV, offering seven-seat capacity and a range of features targeted at customers seeking comfort, technology and practicality.
The SUV is available with 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged engine options, with outputs of up to 145kW and 290Nm of torque, paired with a dual-clutch automatic transmission.
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Its safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill-Start Assist, Hill-Descent Control and a 360-degree panoramic camera with 2D and 3D viewing modes. Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems are also available.
Inside the cabin, the X70 Plus features a 10.23-inch LCD touchscreen, dual-zone climate control with air purification, wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof and an eight-speaker audio system.
Jetour Nigeria, the authorised distributor of the brand in the country, currently operates through seven accredited dealers: Elizade Nigeria Limited, Mandilas Autos, R.T. Briscoe Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, Tab Autos Limited and New Era Auto Vehicle Services Limited.
The company said the dealer network supports vehicle sales, genuine spare-parts supply and after-sales services across the country.
Jetour has also received recent industry recognition in Nigeria, including Fastest Growing Auto Brand by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association and Auto Brand of the Year at the Nigeria Transport Lecture and Awards.
The Abuja experience is expected to provide prospective customers in the FCT and surrounding states with direct access to the X70 Plus and other Jetour models as the brand continues its national market expansion.
Abuja Demand Rises as Jetour Brings X70 Plus Experience to FCT
Auto
Jetour Unleashes F700 Hybrid Pickup as Abuja Experience Begins Tuesday
Jetour Unleashes F700 Hybrid Pickup as Abuja Experience Begins Tuesday
Jetour is taking its premium pickup game to Abuja as the automaker prepares to showcase the powerful F700 hybrid pickup at the Jetour Experience Abuja, bringing a blend of electrified performance, luxury and rugged off-road capability to the Federal Capital Territory.
The three-day event, scheduled for September 22 to 24 at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, comes on the heels of strong reception in Lagos and is expected to draw commercial fleet operators, corporate buyers and luxury pickup enthusiasts keen to experience Jetour’s latest hybrid workhorse.
Following high-impact reception in Lagos, the Abuja activation, which holds at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, answers massive demand from commercial fleet leaders, corporate buyers, and luxury truck enthusiasts eager for an electrified workhorse built without compromise.
Jetour’s rapid ascendancy as Nigeria’s Fastest Growing Auto Brand and Auto Brand of the Year is backed by nationwide after-sales infrastructure, certified technicians, and genuine parts availability through its authorized dealer network including Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, Mandilas Autos, R.T. Briscoe and
Tab Autos.
The Ultimate Hybrid Powerhouse
Engineered on the heavy-duty platform of Jetour’s G700 luxury SUV, the double-cab F700 redefines utility.
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Stretching nearly 5.5 meters, it commands road presence via a high-tensile ladder-frame chassis and independent double-wishbone suspension engineered for punishing industrial demands and refined highway cruising alike.
Under the hood lies the revolutionary Kunpeng Super Hybrid CDM-O powertrain—pairing dual high-output electric drive motors with an onboard turbo petrol generator that seamlessly feeds the battery pack on the fly, eliminating range anxiety entirely.
According to Jetour, an advanced CATL 800V architecture surges the battery from 20% to 80% in just 10 minutes, achieving ultra-fast charging.
The vehicle delivers a monumental combined cruising range of up to 1,300 km on a single charge and tank, and achieves exceptional fuel economy, sipping as low as 1.39 L/100 km.
Conquering Terrain in First-Class Luxury
Engineered for unforgiving terrain, the F700 deploys Jetour’s intelligent XWD all-wheel-drive system governed by front, center, and rear mechanical differential locks.
With 9.5 inches of ground clearance and an imposing 900 mm water-wading capability, the F700 glides through deep water crossings, unpaved construction corridors, and rocky trails effortlessly.
Inside, the cabin abandons utilitarian compromises for bespoke executive refinement, featuring
35.4-inch Panoramic “Sky Screen” dominating the dash architecture.
Also, it features the 15.6-inch Central Command Touchscreen for seamless telematics and vehicle dynamics, Sculpted Luxury Finishes combining aviation-grade acoustic insulation, premium materials, and active driver-assist safety suites.
The three-day Jetour Experience Abuja will feature live technical walkarounds, rugged dynamic tests, and hands-on driving trials at the capital.
Jetour Unleashes F700 Hybrid Pickup as Abuja Experience Begins Tuesday
Auto
26th Abuja Motor Fair: NADDC, BKG Set November 10 Date for Auto Industry Show
26th Abuja Motor Fair: NADDC, BGK Set November 10 Date for Auto Industry Showcase
The National Automotive Design and Development Council and BKG Exhibitions Ltd have unveiled plans for the 26th Abuja International Motor Fair, scheduled to hold from November 10 to 13, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The four-day event is expected to bring together major players across the automotive value chain, such as vehicle manufacturers and assemblers, component producers, financial institutions, technology firms, transport operators, logistics companies, development partners, investors and government agencies.
A three-day conference will also feature prominently at the fair, with the theme, “Driving Nigeria’s Automotive Transformation: Policy, Production, and Prosperity.”
A statement on Friday by BKG Exhibitions said the conference would examine key issues shaping the development of Nigeria’s automotive industry, with speakers drawn from various sectors of the industry and related fields.
Chairman of the Organising Committee and Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions, Mr Ifeanyi Agwu, said the conference would feature a keynote address by the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Joseph Osanipin, alongside presentations and speeches by leading stakeholders in the automotive and transport sectors.
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According to him, the fair will provide participants with opportunities to engage industry leaders, investors, government officials and business executives while exploring emerging vehicles, technologies, products and investment opportunities.
Other highlights of the event are the Nigeria Automotive Excellence Awards Night, Abuja Automotive Road Show, Ultimate Test-Drive experience, exotic automobile displays and the Automotive and Future Mobility Arena.
Visitors will also have access to professional advice, technical papers and a showcase of some of Abuja’s finest cuisine.
The Abuja International Motor Fair has, over the years, evolved into one of Nigeria’s major automotive exhibitions and platforms for industry and policy dialogue.
The organisers said this year’s edition would further strengthen the platform’s role in promoting investment, innovation, local production and sustainable growth across Nigeria’s automotive sector.
26th Abuja Motor Fair: NADDC, BGK Set November 10 Date for Auto Industry Showcase
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