VP Shettima flags off Abuja Motor Fair, charts bold course for Nigeria’s gas, EV future

VP Shettima flags off Abuja Motor Fair, charts bold course for Nigeria’s gas, EV future 

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday declared open the 25th Abuja International Motor Fair, unveiling the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to reposition Nigeria as the automotive hub of sub-Saharan Africa through innovation, sustainability, and localized vehicle production.

The VP was represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, (SAN) at the Silver Jubilee edition of the event.

Shettima described the fair as a “vibrant testament to Nigerian resilience and ingenuity,” noting that for 25 years it had served as a crucial platform for linking investors, manufacturers, and consumers in the nation’s automotive value chain.

The Vice President said this year’s theme, “Driving Nigeria’s Automotive Future: Innovation, Sustainability, and Growth,” aligns directly with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes local production and consumption.

According to him, the automotive industry is “the engine” of the national industrialization plan, connecting manufacturing, technology, youth employment, and the country’s energy transition goals.

Shettima outlined the Federal Government’s three-point direction for the sector—Gas, Green, and Growth—explaining that Nigeria’s abundant gas reserves offer a strategic pathway for mass transit transformation.

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He challenged automobile manufacturers to prepare for a surge in demand for CNG kits, CNG-powered vehicles, and electric vehicles (EVs), as government deepens its transition to cleaner energy solutions.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to establish EV infrastructure nationwide, signaling Nigeria’s readiness for the global shift toward electric mobility. He said the next stage is to build a full EV ecosystem, including youth skills development and local battery assembly.

To boost affordability and stimulate demand for locally produced vehicles, Shettima disclosed that the government has provided ₦20 billion through CreditCorp for low-interest financing targeted at Made-in-Nigeria automobiles.

He encouraged financial institutions to create more innovative auto financing products, noting that “finance is the grease for the wheels of industry.”

The Vice President further reiterated the government’s Nigeria First Policy, urging public and private institutions to prioritize the procurement of locally manufactured vehicles, while assuring that the administration will provide policy incentives to solidify Nigeria as West Africa’s hub for CNG and electric mobility.

Shettima commended NADDC, exhibitors, and other stakeholders for sustaining the fair for 25 years, stating that their innovation demonstrates Nigeria’s capacity not just to participate in global automotive advancement, but to lead.

He thereafter declared the 25th Abuja International Motor Fair officially open.

 

VP Shettima flags off Abuja Motor Fair, charts bold course for Nigeria’s gas, EV future