Experts in Nigeria’s automotive sector have called on journalists to deepen their understanding of industry policies and report effectively to support national industrialisation goals.
The call was made during a one-day capacity-building programme organised by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in collaboration with the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs in Abuja.
The NADDC Director-General, Mr. Joseph Osanipin, stressed the need to transform Nigeria’s automotive policy into law to provide regulatory certainty for investors.
He noted that long-term industrial growth requires legislative backing to sustain incentives for vehicle assembly and component production.
Mr. Osanipin highlighted progress in local automotive innovation, including tricycle design using locally sourced materials, compressed natural gas vehicle assembly, and the training of over 15,000 technicians nationwide.
He said localisation programmes aim to reduce Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported vehicles and spare parts, conserve foreign exchange, and strengthen domestic value chains.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Akintunde Rotimi, and the Chairman of the House Press Corps, Mr. Gboyega Onadiran, urged journalists to contextualise policy decisions within broader industrial and economic priorities.
They called for greater media engagement to improve public understanding, accountability, and investor confidence.
Stakeholders recommended passing the automotive bill to legally underpin the Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan, establishing an automotive development fund, improving funding for NADDC programmes, and strengthening oversight on policy implementation and local content incentives.
The programme underscored the link between legislative support, informed media coverage, and Nigeria’s goal of positioning the country as a competitive automotive production hub in Africa.