By: Abba Onyekachukwu, Abuja.
The Federal Government (FG) has inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), marking a significant milestone in the country’s automotive sector development. In a press statement from Dr Adebayo Thomas, Director Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) on Wednesday, the ceremony, held on Wednesday signaled a bold commitment to transforming Nigeria’s automotive industry under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The inauguration, according to the release is part of the government’s efforts to drive local content, green vehicles, and strategic investments in the automotive sector, adding that the council is tasked with developing local capacity, driving innovation, and creating an enabling environment for sustainable automotive industry growth. The newly inaugurated board, the release went on, aims to align the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) with global best practices, expand local vehicle manufacturing, and promote green mobility solutions.
In a speech, Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, emphasized the significance of the inauguration, stating that it underscores the government’s determination to strengthen Nigeria’s automotive industry, just as he highlighted the importance of appointing a technically proficient and highly professional board to drive the industry’s growth.
The NADDC board will convene its first strategic planning session to refine policy priorities, and the board will launch stakeholder consultations across all six geopolitical zones. Legislative proposals will be presented to the National Assembly for local content enforcement, as the pilot projects will be initiated in Special Economic Zones to showcase “made-in-Nigeria” vehicles.
The inauguration of the NADDC Governing Board marks a new era in Nigeria’s automotive sector development, with the potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and attract foreign investment.
The Hon. Min. of State (Industry), FMITI, Sen. John Owan Enoh (2nd right), the Perm. Sec. FMITI, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, (1st right) the DG NADDC, Mr Joseph Osanipin (1st left) and the Chairman of the just Inaugurated Governing Board NADDC,Chief Emmanuel Eneukwu (2nd left), in a group photograph after the inauguration of the Governing Board of NADDC by the Hon. Min. of State (Industry) FMITI, on wednesday.
