The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) says local manufacturing, technology transfer and skills development remain critical to accelerating Nigeria’s automotive industrialisation.
The Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, stated this at a joint press briefing in Abuja ahead of the 26th Abuja International Motor Fair scheduled for November 10 to 13, 2026.
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The fair, organised by BKG Exhibitions Limited in collaboration with NADDC, will take place at Eagle Square, Abuja, under the theme, “Driving Nigeria’s Automotive Future.”
Osanipin said the automotive industry plays a significant role in Nigeria’s industrialisation, economic diversification, job creation and technological advancement.
He explained that the motor fair should go beyond displaying vehicles to provide opportunities for promoting local production, attracting investments, facilitating technology transfer and strengthening the country’s manufacturing capacity.
According to him, Nigeria’s automotive future must increasingly depend on its capacity to design, manufacture and assemble vehicles and components for domestic consumption and international markets.
The NADDC Director-General identified local content development, component manufacturing, research and innovation, electric mobility, battery technology, alternative fuels and technical skills development as priority areas for the sector.
He also stressed the importance of compliance with safety standards and quality assurance to ensure the production of reliable and competitive automotive products.
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Osanipin called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, private sector operators, financial institutions and research organisations to translate opportunities in the automotive industry into measurable economic growth.
He described the Abuja International Motor Fair as an important platform for showcasing innovations, building strategic partnerships and attracting investments into the sector.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, Chief William Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, described the fair as a strategic national platform for advancing automotive industrialisation and strengthening Nigeria’s position in Africa’s mobility market.
Agwu urged vehicle manufacturers, assemblers, distributors, component producers, financial institutions, technology companies and state governments to participate actively in the exhibition by showcasing their products, innovations and investment opportunities.
The four-day event will feature vehicle displays, product launches, business-to-business engagements, test-driving experiences, automotive financing discussions and investment partnerships.
It will also host the Africa EV and Clean Transport Expo, which will focus on electric vehicles, compressed natural gas (CNG), charging infrastructure and sustainable mobility solutions.
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Another highlight will be the Africa Automotive and Mobility Excellence Awards, which will recognise outstanding contributions to the automotive and transportation sectors.
NADDC and BKG Exhibitions Limited have invited manufacturers, investors, financial institutions, government agencies, industry stakeholders and members of the public to participate in the fair and support efforts to build a competitive Nigerian automotive industry.