LAGOS, IKEJA – Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, commissioned the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) Automotive Training Center in Ikorodu, Lagos.
Enoh described the facility as “a crucible for innovation, a sanctuary for skills development, and a launchpad for Nigeria’s automotive renaissance,” according to a statement on his verified social media handle.
He said the government is committed to achieving “at least 40% local content in vehicle production,” with a target of “30% locally manufactured electric vehicles and usage,” aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister commended NADDC Director General Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin for his leadership, adding that his “strategic vision and operational excellence have brought this milestone to reality.” He urged Nigerians to “continue to believe and drive the country forward.”
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Enoh emphasized the ethical responsibility of local production, noting that building Nigeria’s automotive sector would create jobs, foster innovation, and reduce dependence on foreign imports, ensuring economic dignity for citizens.
In July, the minister inaugurated the governing board of NADDC at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Abuja, describing the move as “a real step forward in our shared mission to build a stronger, more innovative automotive sector.”
He said Nigeria possesses the skills, ambition, and market potential to transform its automotive industry. “With the expertise and dedication of this board, we can open new doors in manufacturing, assembly, and clean energy mobility,” he said.
Enoh thanked President Tinubu for appointing technocrat Chief Emma Eneukwu as NADDC board chairman, stressing that the council’s leadership will play a pivotal role in positioning Nigeria as an automotive hub for Africa.
He described the initiative as a matter of national pride, saying: “It’s about creating jobs, developing skills, and producing vehicles that carry the ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ identity with confidence.”
The commissioning underscores the government’s ethical obligation to match policy promises with infrastructure that empowers citizens, secures industries, and promotes self-reliance in an increasingly competitive global economy.