The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has unveiled plans to commence local production of vehicle spare parts, a move aimed at curbing Nigeria’s $1 billion annual expenditure on imports. The announcement came during the conclusion of a two-week training in Abuja, organized in collaboration with South Korea’s Midas IT Co.
This initiative marks a step toward transforming Nigeria’s automotive industry, at enhancing local production, and reducing reliance on imports as NADDC aims to empower engineers to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s industrial growth and self-sufficiency in vehicle parts production.
Speaking at the event, NADDC’s Director of Research Design and Development, Fidelis Achiv, emphasized the council’s commitment to increasing locally manufactured components in vehicle assembly. Achiv noted that the current practice of assembling nearly complete vehicles adds minimal economic value. “We aim to achieve up to 40% locally produced components in vehicle assembly, creating jobs and boosting the economy,” he said.
The training, focused on Midas NFX software for advanced engineering design, equipped 15 participants with skills to innovate and produce components locally. Achiv underscored the potential for Nigeria to become a global leader in manufacturing select vehicle parts, with over 11 million vehicles on Nigerian roads providing a substantial market.
Participants were encouraged to utilize their skills in practical applications. Managing Director of FAZSAL Nigeria Limited, Abdul-Lawal Zubair, urged them to solve industry challenges creatively, while a trainee, Lukman, lauded the exposure to advanced software, saying it had broadened his ability to innovate.