FG reaffirms commitment to boosting local automobile industry

By Joy Baba Yesufu

Federal Government has restated its resolve to transform the country’s automobile industry, pledging innovative measures to address key challenges, stimulate local production, and align with global standards.
Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment,Senator John Owan Enoh, highlighted these priorities during a briefing with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in Abuja.
Enoh underscored the need for targeted interventions to address critical bottlenecks in spare parts availability and maintenance infrastructure.
“To stimulate demand for locally made automobiles, issues of spare parts and maintenance must be tackled head-on.
“ I urge local manufacturers to establish more maintenance workshops and spare parts factories to meet demand,” Enoh said.
He warned that increasing production without addressing these gaps could undermine the sector’s sustainability.
The minister also pledged to collaborate with stakeholders to drive solutions, emphasizing the automobile industry’s role in Nigeria’s industrial development agenda.
On his part,Director General of NADDC, Joseph Osanipin, called for stronger legislative and policy frameworks to support the local industry.
He stressed the need for incentives to bolster automobile manufacturing while reducing reliance on imported vehicles, particularly used ones, which he described as detrimental to the sector’s growth.
“The importation of used vehicles continues to stifle the growth of the local automobile industry; this trend requires urgent intervention if we are to reposition the sector effectively,” Osanipin said.
Osanipin also proposed the introduction of a mortgage system to make vehicles more affordable and enhance citizens’ welfare.
“A robust mortgage system for automobiles, aligned with global best practices, will no doubt improve the welfare of Nigerians,” he added.

Osanipin appealed to the minister for expedited approval to enable a more competitive and sustainable industry.

He further urged government agencies to prioritize the procurement of locally made vehicles, citing the need to enhance visibility and consumer confidence in the domestic market.