The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), on 3rd September 2026, in Lagos State, engaged key stakeholders in Nigeria’s automotive industry on the Draft National Automotive Industry Bill, 2026, aimed at strengthening the legal, regulatory and institutional framework for sustainable growth and development of the sector.
Speaking at the engagement, the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, said the gathering underscored a shared commitment to building a self-sustaining, technologically advanced and globally competitive Nigerian automotive industry. He noted that Lagos, as the commercial heartbeat of Nigeria and a major hub of automotive manufacturing and operations, provided an appropriate platform for stakeholders to collectively examine the proposed legislation and develop a framework capable of supporting long-term investment and industrial growth.
Osanipin stated that the Council’s vision is to move Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem beyond mere assembly into a robust industrial value chain anchored on local content development, component manufacturing, vehicle electrification and regional market integration. He observed that the rapidly changing global automotive landscape, the transition towards sustainable mobility, the drive for increased local content and the operational expansion of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) underscores the need for Nigeria’s legal and policy framework to evolve accordingly.
According to him, while the National Automotive Design and Development Council Act of 2014 provided an important foundation for the development of the industry, policy inconsistencies, legislative gaps and changing industry dynamics have created the need for a stronger and more predictable legal architecture. He explained that the Draft National Automotive Industry Bill, 2026, seeks to repeal the 2014 Act and establish the National Automotive Design and Development Commission, representing a structural upgrade designed to provide stronger statutory regulatory and enforcement powers, and a firm foundation for sustainable automotive development.
The DG further explained that the proposed Bill seeks to provide legal backing for the incentives, protections and implementation structures of the Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), while creating a transparent, predictable and investment-friendly environment for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), component suppliers, vehicle assemblers and financiers. He added that the legislation is also expected to accelerate local value addition, develop domestic supply chains and create sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for Nigerian youths.
Also speaking, the Director, Policy, Planning and Statistics (PPS), Mr. Umar Nura Sidi, described the engagement as a decisive step towards redefining the legal, regulatory and economic architecture of Nigeria’s automotive sector. He said the NADDC deliberately circulated the Draft Bill to ensure that it is shaped by those who invest, manufacture, assemble and operate within the industry, noting that valuable written contributions had already been received from major industry stakeholders, including NAMA and the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM).
Sidi stressed that the strength of the proposed legislation would depend largely on the consensus and practical input of industry stakeholders. He explained that the engagement was structured as an interactive forum to review the key provisions and innovations in the Draft Bill, analyse technical and operational feedback, and align national automotive policy objectives with industry realities. He urged stakeholders to engage openly, candidly and constructively, noting that the recommendations emerging from the session would directly inform the final Draft Bill before its submission to the National Assembly.
The legal overview of the proposed legislation was presented by a legal expert, Gboyega Oyewole, SAN. The engagement brought together major stakeholders such as the Chairman of the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), Mr. Bawo Omagbitse; The Chairman MOMAN, Rev, Lambert Ekewuba, Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers of auto assembly plants in Nigeria, captains of the automotive industry; and other industry operators.
In conclusion, NADDC expressed appreciation to all stakeholders who have contributed to the development of the Draft Bill and reaffirmed its commitment to a collaborative approach in strengthening Nigeria’s automotive industry. The Council emphasised that legislation affecting the private sector must be developed with meaningful private-sector participation, expressing confidence that the collective inputs from manufacturers, assemblers, component suppliers, industry associations and other stakeholders would help establish a robust legal framework capable of positioning Nigeria as a leading automotive manufacturing hub in West Africa.
