The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has laid the foundation for local production of vehicle spare parts, aiming to reduce Africa’s heavy reliance on imports, a move expected to save Nigeria alone over $1 billion annually.
NADDC Director General, Joseph Osanipin, made this known at the conclusion of a two-week automotive engineering and software design training in Abuja. The training, organized in collaboration with South Korea’s Midas IT Co., focused on Midas NFX software, a cutting-edge platform for advanced design and analysis.
Speaking on behalf of the DG, Fidelis Achiv, Director of Research, Design, and Development, emphasized the council’s commitment to transforming the automotive sector by integrating locally manufactured components into vehicle assembly.
“We aim to reach a point where up to 40% of components in vehicles assembled in Nigeria are locally produced,” Achiv said. “Currently, vehicle assembly in Nigeria adds little value to the economy. Most vehicles arrive almost fully built, and minimal work is done locally. We want to shift to a model where welding, painting, and parts production occur here, generating more value and jobs.”
He further noted that Nigeria has over 11 million vehicles on its roads, presenting a significant opportunity for growth. “If we can specialize in producing just 10 key components of the 3,000 in a vehicle and make them globally competitive, the market potential will be transformative for the economy,” he added.
Building Capacity and Innovation
The training boot camp, which hosted 15 engineers, was designed to develop skills essential for self-sufficient vehicle parts production. Abdul-Lawal Zubair, Managing Director of FAZSAL Nigeria Limited, encouraged participants to apply their knowledge practically to address challenges in the automotive industry.
“You’ve seen not just theory but practical design solutions,” Zubair said. “Use this knowledge to solve industry issues. Be innovative, and take advantage of further training opportunities. Make NADDC proud by delivering real solutions.”
One of the trainees, Lukman, expressed gratitude for the exposure to the advanced Midas NFX software. “This training has expanded my creativity and analytical skills,” he shared. “The software is remarkable for design optimization, and it enables us to contribute to local production while introducing innovative ideas into the market.”
The NADDC’s initiative represents a significant step toward reducing Africa’s dependency on imported vehicle parts and fostering innovation in local manufacturing. By empowering engineers and leveraging modern technology, the council envisions a thriving automotive industry that generates jobs, strengthens economies, and sets Africa on the global map for vehicle parts production.
