The chairman of the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), Bawo Omagbitse, has emphasised the importance of proper legislation of the Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) to further enhance significant development in the industry.

He equally emphasised the need to address the nation’s 54-year journey towards industrial transformation.He spoke when key leaders in Nigeria’s automotive industry gathered recently at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, for a pivotal conference to discuss the development within the sector, including the prospect of a legal framework for the NAIDP.

The conference was aimed at driving growth, addressing sector challenges, and fostering collaboration. The event, led by the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, brought together representatives from relevant government agencies.

Senator John Owan Enoh applauded President Tinubu’s transformation of Nigeria’s automotive sector, stressing the need for sustained funding to fuel growth.

“The government is committed to advancing the sector,” he said.Osanipin highlighted the importance of local components development for Nigeria’s automotive future. “Local manufacturing is the bedrock of the sector,” he said.

The conference also spotlighted Nigeria’s push for alternative fuels, with Osanipin outlining NADDC’s collaboration with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative to transition the automotive sector towards more sustainable energy.

The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to collaborate on positioning Nigeria’s automotive sector for long-term success, with a combination of government support, private-sector innovation and strategic partnerships.