FG Reaffirms Commitment To Automotive Sector As FMITI Boss Visits NADDC

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria's automotive industry following a working visit by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, to the headquarters of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in Abuja.

The visit formed part of Dr. Isokpunwu's familiarisation tour of agencies under the ministry and provided an opportunity to assess ongoing initiatives designed to accelerate industrial growth and local manufacturing within the automotive sector.

During the visit, the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, presented an extensive overview of the Council's operations, mandate and strategic priorities.

He highlighted major achievements recorded by the agency in recent years, including progress in local vehicle assembly, automotive skills acquisition programmes, capacity development initiatives, local content promotion, investment facilitation and technology transfer.

Osanipin also outlined the Council's ongoing efforts to encourage the adoption of emerging technologies, including compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles (EVs) while supporting sustainable growth across Nigeria's automotive value chain.

Responding to the presentation, Dr. Isokpunwu praised the leadership of the Council and commended the agency's contribution to the development of the automotive industry.

He described the sector as a critical pillar of Nigeria's industrialisation agenda and stressed that a vibrant automotive industry possesses the capacity to stimulate manufacturing, create employment opportunities and reduce dependence on imported vehicles.

The Permanent Secretary expressed particular appreciation for the Council's initiatives promoting alternative energy vehicles and sustainable transportation solutions.

According to him, the growing focus on electric vehicles and compressed natural gas aligns with global trends and positions Nigeria to take advantage of future developments within the automotive industry.

Dr. Isokpunwu also acknowledged the Council's proactive efforts in addressing emerging industry concerns, including battery lifecycle management and environmental sustainability.

He noted that such forward-looking initiatives are essential to ensuring that Nigeria remains competitive as the global automotive sector continues to evolve rapidly.

The Permanent Secretary further commended the Council's seven-pillar automotive development strategy, describing it as a comprehensive roadmap capable of driving long-term industry growth.

The framework focuses on key areas such as market expansion, local content development, standards enforcement, industrial competitiveness, investment attraction and sustainable sector development.

In addition, Dr. Isokpunwu expressed support for NADDC's efforts to strengthen its institutional framework through ongoing reviews of its enabling legislation.

He assured the Council of the Federal Ministry's continued policy and regulatory backing, stressing that the ministry remains committed to supporting initiatives that align with the Federal Government's industrialisation agenda.

According to him, local manufacturing and industrial expansion remain central components of the administration's economic development strategy and are critical to job creation and economic diversification.

The Permanent Secretary also commended the professional work environment maintained by the Council and encouraged staff members to remain dedicated to excellence, innovation and service delivery.

He urged employees to continue contributing meaningfully to the growth and sustainability of Nigeria's automotive industry, noting that the sector has enormous potential to drive broader economic transformation.

The visit concluded with an interactive session during which members of staff engaged the Permanent Secretary on the Council's achievements, operational challenges and future plans aimed at advancing Nigeria's automotive ecosystem.