Nigeria’s National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) reported that the country’s installed vehicle production capacity ranges from 450,000 to 500,000 units per year. According to Nairametrics, this figure surpasses the estimated domestic demand, which stands between 350,000 and 450,000 vehicles annually. Joseph Osanipin, the council’s Director-General, shared these figures on Tuesday during the launch of the 26th Abuja International Motor Fair. He argued that local assembly plants could satisfy national vehicle needs if the state provided the appropriate regulatory and financial support.
Osanipin indicated that the federal administration had issued guidelines for the Nigeria First Policy to boost locally assembled cars. Nairametrics noted that the council is drafting an automotive bill and a component development programme to reinforce domestic manufacturing. To ease financing, NADDC partnered with the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) to create consumer credit guidelines. Osanipin stated that over half of CREDICORP’s recent disbursements have gone to the automotive sector, building on a N20 billion credit fund launched in late 2024.
Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, positioned the automotive sector as a key part of the Tinubu administration’s industrialisation goals. She explained that the government is backing the industry through new laws, credit access, and anti-smuggling measures. Oduwole revealed that Nigeria will hold an automotive showcase during the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair in Lagos. This event aims to help manufacturers connect with markets across the continent and strengthen Nigeria’s role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
To improve after-sales services, NADDC agreed with local assemblers to set up service workshops nationwide. Osanipin added that the council has trained roughly 40,000 technicians to maintain locally built vehicles. Most cars shown at the recent fair were assembled domestically, with manufacturers noting they can customise models for government agencies. These moves align with broader efforts to reduce reliance on imported parts, which previously cost Nigeria over $1 billion annually.