The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has strengthened its push for local content development in the automotive sector through a strategic engagement with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC). The Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Osanipin, and his RMRDC counterpart, Prof. Nnayelugo Ikemounso, met in Abuja to explore avenues for deeper collaboration.
Focus on Local Raw Materials
Speaking during the engagement, Osanipin underscored the urgent need to develop automotive components using locally available raw materials. He noted that sustained investment in research and development was critical to achieving this goal, adding that meaningful progress in local content development would require strong collaboration among key government agencies. He emphasised that coordinated institutional efforts were also essential to building a resilient and self-sustaining automotive industry in Nigeria.
RMRDC's Commitment
Ikemounso reaffirmed RMRDC's commitment to supporting NADDC in harnessing local resources for automotive production, aligning with a shared vision of sustainable industrial growth. Discussions at the meeting focused on practical steps to enhance collaboration, including mobilising local technicians, integrating the informal sector into the automotive value chain, and leveraging national logistics systems to expand local content.
The partnership highlights a renewed commitment by both agencies to strengthen Nigeria's automotive industry through innovation, effective use of local resources, and improved institutional synergy. This collaboration is expected to reduce import dependence and boost local manufacturing capabilities.
