Nigeria stands on the brink of a major automotive industrial breakthrough, with Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM) leading the charge to position the country as a global hub for vehicle manufacturing.

Managing Director of LSM, Taiwo Shittu, declared this bold vision amid a significant visit from General Manager of Chinese automotive giant JAC Motors, Oscar Yu, to LSM’s flagship assembly plant in Lagos.

Shittu said that with Nigeria’s vast population of over 200 million, a youthful workforce, and strategic geographic location, the country had all the ingredients to become a global automotive hub.

He added that with the commitment from its partner at JAC and the right government policies, the company could transform Lagos into a world-class manufacturing ecosystem.

“The visit marked a reinvigoration of a decade-long partnership between LSM and JAC, signaling a decisive shift towards deeper industrial integration, increased local value addition, and regional expansion ambitions,” Shittu said.

However, Shittu underscored the vital role of the government, saying the private sector and its international partners were ready for the sector’s elevation.

“Now Nigeria must be ready with the right infrastructure, regulations, and incentives to unlock this industry’s transformative potential,” he added.

Yu, impressed by LSM’s assembly capabilities, highlighted how Nigeria’s demographic and economic potential mirrors China’s earlier industrialization challenges—and opportunities.

Both executives emphasised the urgent need to curb the flood of unregulated used vehicle imports, which they identified as a major impediment to sustainable growth in Nigeria’s auto sector.

“We are not asking for protectionism, but for fair competition that nurtures Nigerian manufacturing,” said Shittu.

To Yu, “Industrialisation anywhere in the world has required protecting the productive base until it achieves scale.”