The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has called for increased local content in the country’s automotive industry, citing the potential for job creation, technology transfer, and economic growth.
In a statement delivered at the 2nd edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU), NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, emphasised the need for stakeholders to prioritise local content development and place Nigeria first in policy and practice.
“The Nigerian auto industry is rich in potential but heavily reliant on imports”, Opara said. “We have abundant natural resources, capable engineers, and a youthful workforce. What we lack is commitment, coordination, and prioritisation of local content development”.
He urged stakeholders, including the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Nigeria Automobile Manufacturers Association (NAMA), and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), to take bold steps to promote local content development.
The NAJA chairman also called on the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Nigeria Customs Service to enforce quality and compliance standards and address import bottlenecks that stifle raw material inflow for local producers.
The summit, themed “Nigeria First: Local Content as Catalyst for Automotive Economy”, aimed to provide a platform for critical stakeholders to discuss the current state of the industry and chart a viable course for immediate and future implementation.
By working together, the industry can drive Nigeria into the future, built by Nigerians, for Nigerians. The NAJA summit is a reflection of the association’s commitment to holding stakeholders accountable and providing an objective platform for dialogue and reform.
The association currently runs three programmes annually, including the NAISU, NAJA Training Workshop, and NAJA Awards, and is open to partnerships with industry stakeholders.