The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has called for stronger collaboration among government, industry stakeholders and specialised motoring media to accelerate the growth and industrial transformation of Nigeria’s automotive sector.
The appeal was made as the Council received the Motoring World Resilience in National Automotive Development Award during the 30th anniversary celebration of Motoring World magazine in Lagos. The award recognises NADDC’s sustained commitment to promoting local vehicle manufacturing, skills development and industrial growth despite prevailing economic and policy challenges.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, the Director of General Services, Mrs. Susan Bisong-Taiwo, reaffirmed the Council’s determination to position Nigeria as a leading automotive manufacturing and innovation hub in Africa.
In a keynote address titled “Motoring Media as a Catalyst for Automotive Industry Growth in Nigeria”, delivered on his behalf, Osanipin described the specialised motoring media as a strategic partner in driving automotive industrialisation, attracting investment and increasing public awareness of emerging mobility technologies.
According to him, the media plays a vital role in promoting local manufacturing, educating consumers, stimulating policy debates, encouraging investment and strengthening confidence in the automotive industry.
“The media is the bridge between government, industry and the public. It informs. It educates. It influences perception. And importantly, it drives national conversations”, he said.
Osanipin noted that the global automotive industry is undergoing one of its biggest transformations, driven by electric mobility, alternative fuels, smart manufacturing and green transportation technologies, stressing that Nigeria must position itself to benefit from these changes.
He disclosed that NADDC is implementing several strategic initiatives aimed at transforming Nigeria from a vehicle-consuming nation into a competitive automotive manufacturing and innovation centre.
The programmes include electric vehicle development, compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion, local content promotion, automotive component manufacturing, skills acquisition and strategic industry partnerships.
The Director-General maintained that government policies alone cannot transform the sector, urging the motoring media to simplify automotive policies for the public, promote awareness of cleaner mobility technologies, encourage patronage of locally assembled vehicles and components, and facilitate constructive engagement among policymakers, investors, manufacturers and consumers.
He also stressed that public perception remains a major determinant of industrial growth, warning that narratives focused solely on challenges could discourage investors.
“Where the narrative is dominated only by challenges and uncertainties, investor confidence weakens. But when the media responsibly highlights innovation, progress and opportunities, it inspires confidence and stimulates growth”, he said.
Osanipin commended Motoring World magazine for its resilience and contributions to automotive journalism, policy advocacy and industry development over the past three decades, describing its longevity in Nigeria’s challenging media environment as evidence of professionalism and relevance.
He further noted that as Nigeria advances its automotive industrialisation and energy transition agenda, stronger partnerships among government agencies, industry players and specialised media will be crucial to unlocking the country’s vast automotive potential.
According to him, Nigeria’s large market, youthful population, expanding technical capacity, growing investor interest and abundant natural resources provide a solid foundation for the sector’s growth, provided there is sustained policy consistency, infrastructure development and stakeholder collaboration.
“If government, industry and the media work together strategically, Nigeria can emerge as a major automotive hub on the African continent”, he said.
The Motoring World Resilience in National Automotive Development Award honours institutions and individuals that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing Nigeria’s automotive industrialisation despite economic and policy challenges.