On the 14th of October 2026 in Abuja, The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s automotive industry through local manufacturing, technology transfer, skills development and strategic partnerships ahead of the 26th Abuja International Motor Fair, scheduled to hold from November 10 to 13, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja.
Organised by BKG Exhibitions Limited in collaboration with NADDC, the fair will be held under the theme, “Driving Nigeria’s Automotive Future,” and will bring together manufacturers, assemblers, investors, policymakers, technology providers and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for industrial growth and innovation.
Speaking at the joint press briefing held at NICON Luxury Hotel, Garki Abuja, to promote the automotive exhibition, the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, emphasised the importance of the automotive industry to Nigeria’s industrialisation, economic diversification, job creation and technological advancement.
The Director General noted that the fair must go beyond vehicle exhibitions to promote local production, attract investment and strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing capacity. “The future of our automotive industry must not be defined solely by the vehicles we import, but increasingly by what we design, manufacture, assemble and develop for domestic and international markets,” Osanipin said.
He reiterated the Council’s commitment to local content development, component manufacturing, research and innovation, electric mobility, battery technology, alternative fuels and technical skills development, while stressing the importance of safety standards and quality assurance.
“Together, let us transform conversations into Commitments, Commitments into partnerships, and partnerships into measurable industrial progress” he concluded.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, Chief William Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, described the fair as a strategic national platform for advancing automotive industrialisation, attracting investment and strengthening Nigeria’s position in Africa’s mobility market.
The Managing Director called on automobile manufacturers, assemblers, distributors, component producers, financial institutions, technology companies and state governments to participate actively by showcasing their products, innovations and investment opportunities.
“Nigeria has given your brand a market. This is the moment for your brand to show Nigeria its commitment,” Agwu stated, urging industry players to seize the opportunity to connect with customers, institutional buyers, policymakers and prospective investors.
The 26th Abuja International Motor Fair is expected to feature vehicle displays, product unveilings, business-to-business engagements, test-driving experiences, automotive finance discussions and investment partnerships. It will also feature the Africa EV and Clean Transport Expo, focusing on electric vehicles, CNG, charging infrastructure and sustainable mobility solutions, alongside the Africa Automotive and Mobility Excellence Awards, which will recognize contributions to the development of the automotive and transportation sectors. Both NADDC and BKG Exhibitions Limited emphasised that collaboration among government, the private sector, financial institutions, research institutions and the media is essential to expanding local manufacturing, empowering young people with relevant technical skills and building a competitive automotive ecosystem.
The organisers have invited automobile manufacturers, assemblers, dealers, component producers, investors, financial institutions, state governments, members of the media and the general public to participate in the fair from November 10 to 13, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja.
