As it prepares to mark its 30th anniversary, the Publisher of Motoring World magazine, Femi Owoeye, has called for sweeping reforms to tackle longstanding issues of poor data transparency and limited media access in Nigeria's automotive sector. Ahead of the June 4 milestone celebration, Owoeye said the sector's growth and global competitiveness continued to be hindered by the absence of credible and timely data.
Owoeye noted that despite three decades of documenting the industry's evolution, access to reliable information remained a persistent challenge. "For three decades, Motoring World has chronicled the development of Nigeria's automotive sector. Yet, scarcity of reliable data and restricted access to information have remained constant obstacles," he said.
He contrasted Nigeria's situation with more transparent markets such as South Africa, where industry-wide sales data are routinely published, pointing out that Nigeria's auto ecosystem still lacks publicly accessible performance metrics. According to him, many automobile companies, franchise holders and dealers treat sales figures as confidential, often citing competitive concerns. "While this may seem strategic, it ultimately limits industry visibility, weakens investor confidence and undermines informed decision-making," Owoeye added.
He also raised concerns about the role of key institutions, including the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), noting that automotive-related data releases are often delayed and limited in scope. "As of the end of April 2026, first-quarter data has yet to be released, and there is still no comprehensive reporting on local vehicle production or sales. This creates a significant gap for journalists, analysts and policymakers," he said.
Owoeye called on stakeholders, including the Nigeria Automobile Manufacturers Association (NAMA), to establish a framework for the regular publication of industry data. He also urged the Federal Government to promote transparency through policy incentives. "Transparency is not a threat to competition; it is a catalyst for growth. The future of Nigeria's automotive industry depends on openness, accountability and collaboration," he said.
Owoeye further decried what he described as selective media engagement within the industry, revealing that not all motoring journalists are granted access to key press briefings and events. "This has effectively created a two-tier information system, where some journalists have direct access while others depend solely on press releases. That is unhealthy for both journalism and the industry," he added. He warned that the implications of these challenges extended beyond the media, affecting consumers, investors and the broader automotive ecosystem.
