The appointment of the new Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, has raised hope that the automotive sector will receive a new boost.
Osanipin resumed at the NADDC office in Abuja on October 17 to the warm reception from staff.
Meeting with the staff upon his arrival, he gave some insights into his vision for the council and likely approach to management.
He appreciated the staff for the warm welcome, stating that an atmosphere of cordiality and cooperation was essential to team cohesion and performance.
On his appointment, he said: “I am grateful to Mr. President for this appointment. I am passionately committed to ensuring that the Renewed Hope agenda for a robust domestic automotive industry is realised. But this lofty ambition cannot be achieved without your commitment, industry and sustained application. Together, we hold the key to establishing a solid pathway to the future of automotive mobility in Nigeria. We must not treat this onerous responsibility lightly.”
Osanipin added that he was open to learning from the staff, whatever their level, noting that his ultimate goal was to harvest ideas for growth.
“I am always open to learning. I respect all opinions. I believe the secret to great prosperity rests within the ideas of the team. Feel free to share your ideas. As a firm believer in teamwork, your ideas will be respected and included in the decision-making process. You are a critical stakeholder. This council belongs to us all, we must ensure it succeeds.”
He urged staff to appreciate the urgency of advancing affordable and convenient automotive mobility options, given the increased cost of transportation owing to the removal of petrol subsidy.
“Nigerians are anxiously waiting for us to lead the change for sustainable mobility in Nigeria. We cannot afford to fail them,” he stated.
While the challenges confronting the transport sector remains, especially
with the removal of subsidy on petrol, which has now triggered a cost of transportation crisis, the government has been searching for alternatives to petrol-powered vehicles. Of the options, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs) have been the most discussed options, with CNG looking like an imminent possibility.
To achieve this, the agency mandated and strategically positioned to take on the responsibility of developing or guiding the development of a model for replication and adoption is the NADDC. The council is thus on the threshold of a historic transition. And the president’s latest appointment may have been made with a consideration in mind.
Osanipin, 52 years old, is an indigene of Oke-Ako Ekiti, Ikole L.G.A, Ekiti State, his education and careers have been principally in Nigeria.
Osanipin will need to lead efforts towards developing reliable local CNG solutions that will provide relief for Nigeria’s burdened citizens. Their intervention must span policy, design, development and even strategic investment in private sector-led efforts.
On the Electric Vehicle (EV) option, whose development long predates the subsidy removal, Osanipin’s resolve will be tested, and his determination stretched as it pertains to entrenching mass adoption that is backed by strategic multi-stakeholder investment in EV production, charging infrastructure and supply chain. Osanipin will have to draw from his experience in the private sector as a carmaker to steer this large ship right.
Prior to his appointment, Osanipin served as Chief Operating Officer of Jet Systems Automobile Industry Ltd. Jet Systems locally produces EVs primarily for the Nigerian and African markets. Their product line ranges from passenger to utilitarian vehicles— ambulances, military vehicles, and delivery vans.
