NADDC, other industry leaders to drive agenda at 2025 Nigerian auto industry summit

Key regulatory and industry stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and the National Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), have reaffirmed their commitment to the 2025 edition of the Nigerian Auto Industry Summit (NAISU), scheduled to hold in Lagos on July 31.

Organized by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in collaboration with NADDC, the highly anticipated summit will focus on the theme: “Nigeria First: Local Content as Catalyst for Automotive Economy.”

The event is poised to serve as a policy-shaping forum for repositioning the local automotive sector through dialogue, data-driven recommendations, and strategic partnerships.

The Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, will declare the summit open as the Special Guest of Honour, underscoring the federal government’s support for initiatives aimed at reviving the automotive industry.

According to a statement from NAJA, the summit will bring together senior officials from key ministries, auto manufacturers, transport unions, investors, assemblers, regulators, component suppliers, and members of the press to examine critical issues hindering the sector’s growth and competitiveness.

Director General of NADDC, Mr. Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, described NAISU as “a critical convergence point for charting a practical roadmap to revive and strengthen the local automotive ecosystem.”

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“The Nigerian Auto Industry Summit is coming at a time when collaborative thinking is most needed. We are proud to support NAJA’s initiative in bringing industry players together to address the regulatory, infrastructural, and investment gaps stalling our automotive development,” Osanipin stated.

Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Ben Ejendu, a senior official of NAMA, emphasized the need to bridge the gap between policy and implementation.

“There is a widening disconnect between policy formulation and real-world execution. NAISU offers a unique opportunity to align government expectations with industry realities. NAMA will actively participate and will present critical data and policy papers,” he said.

NAJA Chairman, Mr. Theodore Opara, stressed that the summit goes beyond conventional conferences and will prioritize measurable outcomes.

“We’re not organizing another talk show. NAISU is built on evidence-based analysis, outcome-driven sessions, and meaningful cross-sectoral collaboration. It will feature both local and international stakeholders—from automakers to regulatory bodies,” he explained.

Chairman of the NAISU Planning Committee, Mr. Mike Ochonma, confirmed that senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Transport, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, SON, as well as representatives from major automotive brands operating in Nigeria, will be in attendance.

The one-day summit will include keynote presentations, breakout panel discussions, technical exhibitions, and high-level networking sessions designed to foster partnerships and investment in local auto production.

Industry observers have described NAISU 2025 as a potential watershed moment for Nigeria’s auto sector, with expectations high that the summit will catalyze tangible policy reforms, promote local content, and position Nigeria as a future hub for automotive manufacturing in Africa.