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UNILAG-Nord auto plant partnership excites FG, Mamora offers support

Published

4 years ago

November 12, 2022

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, has expressed excitement over the establishment of an auto assembly plant that can also produce drones in the University of Lagos by Nord Automobile Limited, an indigenous auto firm.

He commended the partnership between the university and Nord during the inauguration of the multi-purpose automobile complex in Lagos on Thursday, describing the initiative as “a demonstration of abundant innovative energy of the youths of this country”.

Mamora said the project was in line with the motive behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s recently signed Executive Order 5, “which essentially has to do with indigenous components across all sectors of the economy. That is what we are putting into practice. And this project is part of that.”

Speaking on the drone technology, the minister said, “This is relevant in many areas even in delivery of drugs and in the area of security. It can be used to gather information that will be needed to move forward.”

He promised the support of the ministry to ensure the sustainability of the venture, stressing that such partnership was needed for the economic growth of the country.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Lola Akande, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, said the automobile complex provided “a hallmark of hope” for progress.

He said, “The opportunity you have provided our youths and the general citizenry by setting up this assembly plant here in Lagos is greatly appreciated by us. This is in line with the goal of our administration of providing conducive business environment for the good people of the state to operate.

Outgoing Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said the university decided to sign a Memoradum of Understanding with the Nord team having found out the immense benefits of the project to the school.

He said, “We entered into an MoU with Nord so that our students can get their training through this platform; the academic staff too can get their exposure through this platform. It is not only the staff in the Faculty of Engineering that will benefit from this, even those in the departments of architecture, finance, marketing and every other department that has relevance to this project.”

Ogundipe said with the inauguration of the automobile complex, the university would now start assembling cars, buses and other vehicles, depending on the demand.

He also said microfinance banks would collaborate with the team so that any member of staff needing a new car could now approach the MFB, have an agreement with them and could be paying the money in instalment.

He also said, “We are going to be manufacturing drones in this same place. They already have an agreement with the Nigerian Air Force. And I want us to know that our students will learn something new in this area of drones and other things that will come from this particular arrangement.

“I’m convinced that very soon this venture will be recognised all over the world. This will be the first time that a Nigerian university in Africa will be having an automobile-making company in such a way that it will train our students, expose our staff to practical skills and also make our staff to get new cars at affordable prices.”

Chief Executive of Nord, Oluwatobi Ajayi, said the new automobile complex, which he called ‘the end-to-end of automobile business, comprised the Research & Development centre, the manufacturing and assembling point, the showroom, and the after-sale centre.

He said, “Some of the things we intend to achieve here include to research and develop world-class auto technology. Research and development are the bedrock of advancement in technology. We need to take it seriously. This is better achieved in the university. And what better university can we have than UNILAG, right in the middle of town with brilliant students and lecturers and facilitators around here working with our team. This must be a marriage made in heaven.”

Ajayi explained that as a country with a large population and high gross domestic product, “we cannot continue to import what we use,” including vehicles.

The Nord CEO said, “We need to have a nationalistic view about things by being industrialised. Europe, United States and China have become powerful today because of their industrial powers. And the auto industry is the mother of all industries. It is the industry other industries thrive on.”

He thanked the UNILAG team for give his company the opportunity to make the project a reality, adding that Nord offers lovely pick-ups, SUVs and cars at 60% price of the popular brands.

Related Topics:auto plant Nord Auto UNILAg

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Jetour Targets Abuja Market with X70 PHEV as Nationwide Expansion Gathers Pace

Published

2 days ago

September 15, 2026

Trends Admin

Jetour Targets Abuja Market with X70 PHEV as Nationwide Expansion Gathers Pace

Jetour Nigeria is taking its hybrid SUV offensive to Abuja, with the X70 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) set to headline the three-day Jetour Experience from September 22 to 24 as the automaker accelerates its drive to expand its footprint and capture a larger share of Nigeria’s fast-evolving mobility market.

The Abuja showcase, coming on the heels of a strong Lagos edition that generated significant consumer interest, test drives and sales enquiries, is designed to bring Jetour’s latest technologies closer to customers in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states.

The event at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, will give prospective buyers and auto enthusiasts the opportunity to test-drive the X70 PHEV and other Jetour models while interacting with product specialists and experiencing their technology, safety features, performance and comfort firsthand.

According to the company, expanding the showcase to the Federal Capital Territory was a direct response to rising demand from residents in Abuja and neighbouring states.

Jetour Targets Abuja Market with X70 PHEV as Nationwide Expansion Gathers Pace

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X90 Plus Leads Jetour’s Abuja Drive for Bigger SUV Market Share

Published

4 days ago

September 13, 2026

Trends Admin

X90 Plus Leads Jetour’s Abuja Drive for Bigger SUV Market Share

Jetour Nigeria is taking its premium SUV battle to Abuja, with the seven-seater X90 Plus set to headline the Jetour Experience Abuja from September 22 to 24, as the automaker moves to capture a larger share of Nigeria’s fast-growing high-end family SUV market.

The three-day motoring showcase will give prospective buyers, families and auto enthusiasts in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states an opportunity to experience the X90 Plus and other models in the Jetour range through test drives and hands-on demonstrations.

The Abuja showcase follows the success of the brand’s earlier Jetour Experience in Lagos, where strong customer interest, inquiries and sales momentum reportedly encouraged the company to take the initiative to the Federal Capital Territory.

Jetour Nigeria said growing demand from customers in Abuja and neighbouring states was a major factor behind the decision to expand the experience to the northern market.

Positioned as a full-sized family SUV, the X90 Plus is designed for executives and families seeking a combination of space, technology, performance and comfort without the price tag associated with some luxury SUVs.

The model is offered with 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged engines paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The powertrain produces up to 254 horsepower and 390Nm of torque.

Inside the cabin, the X90 Plus features a 12.3-inch LCD touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, Sony premium audio system and wireless charging.

Its safety and driver-assistance features include a 360-degree panoramic camera, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and electronic stability systems.

Jetour’s growing profile in Nigeria has also earned the brand recognition from the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), which named it Fastest Growing Auto Brand, while it was also recognised as Auto Brand of the Year at the Nigeria Transport Lecture.

To support its expanding customer base, Jetour Nigeria, the sole authorised distributor, operates through seven accredited dealer partners across the country: 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 Abuja Experience is expected to provide Jetour with another platform to engage potential customers and reinforce its position in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive SUV market.

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Jetour Takes Award-Winning Dashing, Other SUVs to Abuja

Published

5 days ago

September 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Jetour Takes Award-Winning Dashing, Other SUVs to Abuja

Motorists in Abuja are set for a close encounter with Jetour’s award-winning Dashing and other models as Jetour Nigeria moves to deepen its foothold in the nation’s capital with the Jetour Experience Abuja, beginning September 22.

The three-day motoring event, which runs until September 24, is expected to draw prospective buyers and automobile enthusiasts to a hands-on experience featuring test drives, product demonstrations and direct engagement with Jetour’s seven authorised dealers and product specialists.

The participating dealer network comprises Elizade Nigeria Limited, Kojo Motors, Mandilas Autos, Germaine Auto Centre, R.T. Briscoe, Tab Autos and New Era Auto Vehicle Services Limited.