Preparations are in top gear for the second Nigeria’s auto industry summit as stakeholders in the automotive industry converge on Lagos to discuss the imperative of local content in boosting the automotive economy.
Organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the Nigeria Association of Automotive Manufacturers (NAMA), and the African Association of Automobile Manufacturers (AAAM), the summit slated for Thursday, July 31, 2025, is themed: “Nigeria First: Local Content as Catalyst for Automotive Economy.”
This year’s edition seeks to deepen national dialogue on local content integration as a vital pillar for the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s automotive industry.
It will also dwell on the federal government’s recently launched Nigeria’s First initiative and the patronage of locally assembled automobiles.
The summit aims to bring together policymakers, regulators, manufacturers, traders, and the media to align on strategies that will transition the country from a largely import-dependent industry to a self-reliant automotive ecosystem.
The organisers, in a statement, said the event will be declared open by the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, and will have the Director-General of NADDC, Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, as the chief host.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mike Ochonma, Chairman of the NAISU Planning Committee, said: “This summit is about action. It’s about putting local content at the heart of Nigeria’s industrial road map. We are bringing regulators, customs officers, manufacturers, traders, and journalists into one room to foster synergy and policy cohesion.
“Local content is not just policy language—it is the backbone of job creation, skills development, and industrial self-reliance. NAISU 2025 will challenge us to look inward for sustainable solutions.”
In a statement, Theodore Opara, NAJA chairman, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting a knowledge-based transformation of the automotive industry.
“As auto journalists, we recognise that information shapes policy. NAISU is our contribution to fostering a well-informed, locally driven auto economy.
“The future of Nigeria’s auto sector lies in how we harness our own resources, talent, and innovations. NAISU creates a vital forum where public and private stakeholders can collaborate and strategize for a resilient industry.”
NAISU 2025 will feature high-level keynote addresses, expert panel discussions, and strategic networking sessions.
Key areas of focus will include: custom tariff frameworks and local assembly incentives; supply chain localisation and small-scale manufacturing; technology transfer and skilled workforce development; regulatory compliance and standards enforcement.
