… At Motoring World’s 30th anniversary, Oyeyemi says Nigeria’s 21m vehicle fleet deserves more than import duties.

The Federal Government has been urged to replace its stop-start automotive policies with a long-term, consistent plan focused on local value creation and domestic manufacturing, instead of relying mainly on revenue from vehicle import duties.

Former FRSC Corps Marshal and Chairman of CILT Nigeria, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, gave the charge on Thursday at the 30th anniversary of Motoring World Magazine in Lagos. The event, themed “Celebrating Three Decades of Excellence in Automotive Journalism,” brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and journalists.

Oyeyemi, who chaired the occasion, said Nigeria has Africa’s largest automotive market potential but has failed to harness it due to policy inconsistency and weak support for local assembly.“Nigeria’s domestic automotive manufacturing industry remains embryonic,” he said. “We are still dependent on fairly used vehicles. The few local components we produce are struggling with supply chain depth, technical workforce, and policy consistency.”He noted that with a population of over 240 million, a vehicle fleet of about 21 million, and road networks spanning 204,000km, Nigeria has all the ingredients for vehicle assembly, parts manufacturing, EV infrastructure, and auto financing.But the repeated review of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan, NAIDP, without sustained growth has driven investors away. “Investors have come and gone. Assembly plants have opened and closed. The Nigerian consumer continues to drive imported, second-hand, often poorly maintained, frequently unsafe vehicles when they should be driving vehicles assembled in Nigeria to international standards,” Oyeyemi lamented.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed that the Government is reviewing the Automotive policy to accommodate emerging technologies like electric vehicles, CNG-powered vehicles, and other alternative energy solutions.Represented by Samuel Adetoro, Desk Officer for the Auto Industry, Oduwole said the review will align Nigeria’s Automotive ecosystem with global trends in sustainable mobility and industrial development.“

The Automotive industry is a necessary pillar of Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda. It can generate jobs, attract investment, deepen local manufacturing, and reduce dependence on imported vehicles,” she stated.NADDC Director-General, Joseph Osanipin, represented by madam Susan Taiwo, called for stronger collaboration between Government, Industry, and Media to position Nigeria as Africa’s Auto manufacturing hub.He said the future of mobility is being reshaped by EVs, alternative fuels, smart manufacturing, and green transport. “Nigeria must not be left behind,” he warned.Osanipin listed NADDC’s focus areas: EV development, CNG conversion programs, local content promotion, component manufacturing, skills acquisition, and strategic partnerships.He also cautioned that negative public discourse around challenges and uncertainty could erode investor confidence.

Still on road safety, Oyeyemi, who also doubles as a global Road Safety Ambassador, stressed that Road Safety remains the most critical human dimension of transport. “Road crashes continue to claim too many lives and require sustained interventions,” he said.

He commended Motoring World for 30 years of consistent advocacy for a stronger, safer Automotive sector.