The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), on April 13, 2026, took a major step to strengthen skills development and certification in Nigeria’s automotive industry through a strategic meeting with the Sector Skills Council (SSC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) at its headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting focused on plans to establish a specialized automotive awarding body to encourage competency-based certification and qualifications, tailored to the sector’s needs.
During the meeting, Engr. Best Nnodim, President of Auto SSC, and Engr. S.M. Yusuf, Director Vocational Training and Skills Development NBTE, presented a policy document on the proposed body to NADDC Director-General/CEO, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin.
Engr. Best noted that Nigeria’s automotive sector now requires a dedicated certification structure that aligns with global best practices, especially as the industry evolves into green energy and electric vehicles. The proposed body will accredit training providers, approve training centres, monitor standards, and oversee certification processes.
A three-tier implementation framework was also outlined: the SSC will develop occupational standards, the awarding body will design qualifications and curriculum, while accredited centres will deliver training and internal assessments.
In his remarks, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed NADDC’s commitment to strengthening automotive skills development, expressing confidence that the process can be completed within six months.
The initiative is expected to boost technical manpower development, standardize training, and support a more competitive and sustainable automotive industry in Nigeria.
