The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, has called for renewed commitment to local manufacturing and industrial self-reliance at a Strategic Sensitization Workshop on “Revitalizing the Automotive Value Chain in Nigeria: Strategies for Growth in the Tyre and Battery Sectors” on 5th February, 2026.

The workshop aims to promote local production of tyres and batteries, reduce imports, and reinforce Nigeria’s automotive value chain. NADDC is prioritizing backward integration, local sourcing, and quality assurance under the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP 2023).

Osanipin emphasized opportunities in New Energy Vehicle (NEV) battery management and highlighted the approval of the End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Regulations 2025, fostering a circular economy. He urged investors to leverage NADDC incentives for modernization, technology transfer, and growth.

Stakeholders emphasized local content requirements and rules of origin for market access. The Bank of Industry reaffirmed support for viable projects promoting local value addition.

Other key stakeholders present at the workshop included the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), the National Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), among other relevant public and private sector institutions, underscoring the broad-based commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s automotive value chain.

In a strategic move to position Nigeria as one of the leading automotive manufacturing nations in the world, the Federal Government through the office of the Hon. Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), on January 30, 2026 at Abuja, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC) for establishment of an Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant and the development of charging infrastructures in Nigeria.

This MoU aligns with the federal government’s National Energy Transition Plan (ETP) and the National Automotive Industry Development Plan(NAIDP), policies of the government both aimed to build an ecosystem for EV infrastructure development, expansion as well as adoption.

The phase I and II of the project will focus on building complete EV Assembly Plant and establishment of facilities capable of full in-house production respectively. With a production capacity of 300,000 vehicles, the plan is also expected to create about10,000 jobs.

The gains of this significant initiative cannot be overemphasized, as the expansion of EV adoption will not only help to reduce the approximately $10 billion spent annually on refined fuel imports, but will also act as a catalyst for nationwide economic growth through the explosive expansion of related industries such as auto parts, charging infrastructure, and vehicle mentainance, thus positioning Nigeria as a leading technology- driven nation in Africa.

Building upon the legacy of AEDC, a non-governmental organisation that operates independently in close cooperation with leading policy makers and international institutions, the AEDC Chairman, Yoon Suk Hun expressed strong commitment “We will devote all of our capabilities to ensuring that Nigeria’s EV industry is built in the most economically viable manner and operated with maximum efficiency, while achieving global competitiveness. Drawing on Korea’s spirit and development experience, our goal is to elevate Nigeria’s automotive industry to world-class standards within 20 to 30 years- an achievement that took advanced economies 150 years and Korea 60 years to accomplish” he stated.

The Minister of State for Industry, FMITI, Senator John Owan Enoh, pledged to work in close coordination with AEDC to ensure the rapid completion of Africa’s first advanced, world- class EV manufacturing plant. He affirmed that the government will extend it’s full cooperation and mobilize all available resources to ensure that the project becomes a key engine of Nigeria’s industrial development.

Emphasizing the significance of the MoU, the Hon Minister said the project aligns strongly with President Tinubu’s push for “Nigeria First Policy” aimed to boost local production and industrial development, stating that the event represents the commitment of the Federal Government in building a diversified economy that is driven by local production.

The NADDC Director General, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin ably represented by the Head of Policy, Planning and Statistics, Mr. Nura Sidi revealed that the collaboration would focus on Technology Transfer, Investment Promotion, Human Capital Development as well as Research and Design.

The Council in line with it’s mandates, had earlier initiated the EV development policy which led to the introduction and adoption of various EV’s, some of which are assembled in the local auto Industry while others are imported into the country.

Through this green energy initiative, Nigeria aims to transform it’s economy into a high value- added manufacturing base powered by green energy. In accordance with the project plan, efforts will be made to develop the broader EV ecosystem, including the establishment of component manufacturing facilities, acquisition of related technologies, development of charging infrastructure, and battery production.

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a leading automotive manufacturing hub in Africa. This follows a high-level strategic meeting with the Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC) focused on electric vehicle (EV) technology transfer, local manufacturing, and capacity development which took place at the Council Headquarters in Abuja on 29th January, 2026.

The meeting brought together senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, NADDC management, AEDC members, and key Nigerian automotive sector players.

NADDC Director-General Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin welcomed the AEDC delegation, emphasizing Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with international partners to accelerate automotive industry growth.

AEDC Chairman Mr. Yoon Suk-hun outlined the committee’s commitment to transferring EV technology to Nigeria, citing Korea’s industrial development model. He stressed Nigeria’s potential to develop national automobile brands with the right partnerships.

Discussions highlighted technology transfer, local manufacturing, and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for exports. Presentations showcased Nigeria’s growing automotive capacity, including NEV Electric Motors and Lanre Shittu Motors’ local assembly operations.

NADDC presented the Nigeria Automotive Industrial Development Plan (NAIDP), focusing on investment promotion, market expansion, local component development, and capacity building. Both parties expressed optimism about the partnership, paving the way for large-scale EV manufacturing and sustainable growth.

In closing remarks, NADDC and AEDC representatives expressed optimism about the partnership, citing strong political will, NADDC’s leadership, and a shared vision for Nigeria’s automotive future. The meeting concluded with assurances on executing the proposed MoU, paving the way for large-scale EV manufacturing, skills development, and sustainable growth in Nigeria.

On 28th, January, 2026, The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Dr, Adebowale briefed auto assemblers on the Nigeria First Policy, aimed at driving economic growth through preferential procurement practices. This directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu tasks BPP with overseeing the policy’s implementation. The automotive sector is among seven priority sectors selected for the policy’s rollout.

The DG BPP called for strong collaboration between government and private sectors to ensure the policy implementation. He emphasized that adherence to the Nigeria First Policy is expected from industry players, stating, “If any assembler is not ready for the Nigeria First Policy, then it should leave the auto business,” underscoring the government’s commitment to promoting local industry participation.

NADDC Director-General, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, expressed gratitude to stakeholders and highlighted discussions with the DG BPP on ensuring the policy’s success. He noted key expectations from the government, including minimum quality standards for vehicles, after-sales support, and local component integration.

Osanipin emphasized the need for assemblers to address dealership structures, local content, and maintaining standards to support the policy’s success, encouraging stakeholders to contribute to its implementation.

The policy aims to boost local manufacturing, create jobs, and stimulate economic development.

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) on 27th January, 2026 has received accolades from Nigerian youths, led by Hon. Dr.Titilope Gbadamosi, Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives, for its impactful efforts in youth development.

The recognition came during a gathering of young Nigerians who benefited from NADDC’s training programs, including a significant initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) retrofitting systems.

In her remarks, Dr. Gbadamosi praised NADDC’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with skills that align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform priorities. She highlighted the Council’s role in training technicians and youths in CNG retrofitting, supporting the President’s target of converting 100,000 vehicles from PMS to CNG. “Your efforts have changed many lives, showing that Nigerian youths are willing and capable,” she said.

Dr. Gbadamosi also announced plans for closer collaboration between NADDC and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), with the NYSC Director-General expressing interest in integrating CNG retrofitting skills into the Corps’ Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program.

NADDC Director-General, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed the Council’s dedication to empowering Nigerian youths with skills for a sustainable future. “There is much we can do together, and we want to share more about the opportunities available in the ecosystem. We look forward to further collaboration, especially with youths already in the automobile and automotive sector,” he said.

The event underscored NADDC’s pivotal role in driving youth empowerment and sustainable development in Nigeria’s automotive industry.