NADDC, TNL, Weststar, others back 2025 Nigeria Auto Industry Summit as stakeholder support grows

The upcoming Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU) 2025, slated for July 30 in Lagos, has received major backing from key players in the automotive sector, including the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Weststar Associates, Toyota Nigeria Limited, and several other auto brands and franchises.

Other confirmed participants include Carloha, Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM), and Nord Motors, reflecting growing industry-wide enthusiasm for the event, which is now in its second edition.

Organized by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), the summit is designed as a convergence point for stakeholders across the Nigerian auto value chain to critically assess the industry’s challenges, share insights, and push for progressive reforms.

According to Mike Ochonma, Chairman of the NAISU Organizing Committee, the success of the maiden edition in 2024 has laid a strong foundation for an even more impactful summit this year.

“Last year, NAJA premiered NAISU as a platform for stakeholders to converge and critically x-ray the auto industry and proffer solutions that will take it to greater heights for the benefit of Nigerians,” Ochonma said in a statement issued by the association.

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He noted that government agencies critical to the sector—such as NADDC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)—have also confirmed their attendance, signaling official recognition of the summit’s relevance.

Theodore Opara, Chairman of NAJA, emphasized that the summit has quickly become a key fixture in the country’s auto sector calendar.

“NAISU has come to stay, as evidenced by the overwhelming support from industry stakeholders. The interests received so far affirm that the event is on the right trajectory,” Opara said.

He highlighted that this year’s edition would place strong emphasis on promoting local content, while also contributing to discussions surrounding the long-awaited National Auto Industry Development Plan (NAIDP)—a major federal government initiative aimed at revitalizing the auto manufacturing landscape in Nigeria.

“Plans are already in top gear to ensure this year’s NAISU surpasses the last in terms of organization, participation, and policy impact,” he added.

The 2025 summit comes at a crucial time for Nigeria’s auto industry, which continues to grapple with challenges including foreign exchange volatility, infrastructural gaps, import duties, and the need for local manufacturing capacity.

Stakeholders are also looking to the federal government to finalize and implement an updated version of the Auto Policy, with clearer incentives for investors, improved access to financing, and sustainable measures to boost local content in vehicle assembly and production.

With the support of public and private sector actors, NAISU 2025 is expected to generate actionable recommendations that can influence automotive policy direction and facilitate sustainable growth in Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem.