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President Bola Tinubu pledged on Friday to expedite the passage of legislative bills aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s automobile industry.
He urged local manufacturers to prioritise the production of top-quality, affordable vehicles for Nigerians, particularly as his administration recently launched a consumer credit scheme.
Tinubu made these remarks during a courtesy visit from the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers and the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association in Abuja, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, confirmed in a statement titled ‘Automotive Manufacturers Pay Courtesy Visit to President Tinubu.’
The delegation, led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms. Doris Uzoka-Anite, included the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Mr. Joseph Osanipin, along with representatives from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and Executive Directors of Stallion Group, Toyota/CEAO, and NISSAN.
“He (Tinubu) promised to assist in facilitating the speedy passage of the legislative bill,” the statement read, adding that locally manufactured vehicles should meet the highest quality standards to complement government efforts in revitalizing the industry.
According to one association spokesperson, the visit aimed to update President Tinubu on efforts to commence vehicle and spare parts manufacturing in Nigeria.
They informed the President’s Chief of Staff that a legislative bill to drive the automotive industry was being drafted and reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
They also emphasised the industry’s potential to generate massive employment for Nigerian youths and alleviate foreign exchange pressures.
Gbajabiamila thanked the delegation, assuring them of the President’s commitment to Nigeria’s industrialization through various policies.
He also urged the associations to focus on producing vehicles affordable to all Nigerians, especially amid Tinubu’s initiative to provide consumer credit for millions to access cars and essential goods and services.
