As part of the measures to develop Nigeria’s automotive industry, the Federal Government (FG), through the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has commissioned a state-of-the-art automotive training centre at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu.
The ceremony brought together key stakeholders from government, academia and industry. The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, underscored the importance of the project, noting that the centre could not have come at a better time.
“Lagos state has placed great importance on training Lagosians in modern automotive technology. This facility will not only enhance the skills of youths and technicians but also strengthen the automotive industry in Lagos and Nigeria at large. With world-class equipment, our students will now train with the same diagnostic tools and safety systems used globally,” Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Morenikeji Azeez, said.
Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh, explained that the centre aligned with the Federal Government’s Automotive Policy, which prioritises job creation, skills acquisition, technology transfer and output growth.
He added that the policy was designed to boost local vehicle production and increase local content to 40 per cent while ensuring that Nigeria produces 30 per cent of the electric vehicles used in the country.
Highlighting the wider scope, Enoh said the Lagos centre was one of 23 facilities being strategically located across Nigeria to ensure equitable distribution of national assets.
Also speaking, the NADDC Board Chairman, Emma Eneukwu, described the facility as “a beacon of opportunity,” emphasizing its role in training, research and vehicle maintenance, while preparing students for emerging technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) and compressed natural gas (CNG) conversions.
The Director-General, NADDC, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, reaffirmed the council’s mandate of driving sustainable growth in the sector through skills development and infrastructure.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the automotive policy, which noting that the initiative is being implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Osanipin said the council is constructing 23 training centres across the six geopolitical zones to provide opportunities for young Nigerians, boost innovation and support local automotive value chains.
As Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos was described as a strategic choice for the facility, given its role as a centre of innovation, trade and entrepreneurship.Ikorodu’s strong industrial clusters and vibrant MSMEs were also cited as critical enablers of the project.
