NAJA Urges Stronger Push for Local Content to Boost Nigeria’s Auto Industry
By Daphne Uduneje
The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has issued a clarion call for deeper investment in local content within Nigeria’s automotive sector, highlighting its potential to spur job opportunities, foster technological advancement, and drive economic progress.
Speaking at the second Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU), NAJA Chairman Theodore Opara stressed the urgency for industry players to champion policies and practices that prioritize Nigeria’s domestic capabilities. “Our auto sector holds immense promise but remains tethered to imports,” Opara noted. “With our wealth of natural resources, skilled engineers, and vibrant youth, the missing pieces are commitment and cohesive strategies to elevate local content.”Opara called on key players, including the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Nigeria Automobile Manufacturers Association (NAMA), and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), to take decisive action in advancing local production.
He also urged the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Nigeria Customs Service to strengthen quality enforcement and streamline import processes to support local manufacturers’ access to raw materials.The summit, themed “Nigeria First: Local Content as Catalyst for Automotive Economy,” served as a dynamic forum for stakeholders to assess the industry’s challenges and map out actionable strategies for growth. NAJA emphasized that collaborative efforts could position Nigeria’s auto sector as a powerhouse built by and for Nigerians.Through initiatives like the NAISU, NAJA Training Workshop, and NAJA Awards, the association continues to foster dialogue, accountability, and reform. NAJA remains open to strategic partnerships to further its mission of transforming Nigeria’s automotive landscape.