Joseph Osanipin, the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), disclosed that merely 6 per cent of Nigerians possess vehicles in the country.
This revelation came during a meeting with vehicle component manufacturers to explore avenues to enhance efficiency and local production in the automotive sector.
Osanipin highlighted, “Vehicle ownership in Nigeria stands at 6% of the general population as of 2018 (approximately 12 million), while in South Africa, it is about 17.4%. Therefore, we need to leverage the collective talents and resources available to drive sustainable growth and development in the sector to achieve this and more.”
He emphasized the significance of Nigeria’s abundant natural resources as fundamental raw materials for component production. NADDC’s strategic plan focuses on bolstering parts to foster the automotive industry’s development and propel assemblers’ transition from Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) to Completely Knocked Down (CKD) auto manufacturers.
Encouraging innovation and inclusivity, Osanipin urged component manufacturers to remain steadfast. He remarked, “Together, we have the power to reshape the future of mobility in Nigeria and chart a course towards prosperity for generations to come.”
Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, underscored the meeting’s objective to revive automotive components for a vibrant and sustainable sector. He affirmed the federal government’s commitment to accelerating synergy with component manufacturers to unlock the sector’s full potential.
