June 20, (THEWILL) – As momentum gathers for the maiden edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU) scheduled to be held at Radisson Lagos, GRA, Ikeja, on June 27, 2024, more stakeholders in the automotive sector have expressed their support for the event.
Already, Kia Nigeria, Carloha Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, Globe Motors, Ineh-Mic Motors, Suzuki By CFAO, RT Briscoe, Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL), Weststar Associates Limited, and Honda Automobile Western Africa Limited (HAWA), have committed themselves to the success of the maiden event with full support, while others are still being expected to join the moving train.
The event, being organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), continues to excite stakeholders with preparations reaching the advanced stage, as Globe Motors gets ready to showcase its locally-assembled Cooling Van at the summit, which aims to proffer solutions to the challenges faced by stakeholders.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and officials from the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) are also expected to address the myriad of challenges facing auto importers at the summit to boost the confidence of stakeholders in the clearing process.
Envisioned as an annual flagship event of the country’s automotive industry to rally all stakeholders together in addressing the challenges facing them, the auto industry summit will recommend practical solutions to the government through a communiqué at the end of the event, to fully explore the great potential in the automotive sector for national development.
Expected to be declared open by the Minister of Industries, Trade, and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, the summit, with the theme: “Reviving Nigeria’s Economy through the Automotive Sector”, will have the NADDC Director-General, Mr Joseph Osannipin, as the Chief Host.
The NADDC boss is expected to be supported at the summit by members of the Nigeria Association of Automotive Manufacturers, (NAMA), as well as leading stakeholders across Nigeria.
Commenting on the importance of the summit for the development of the country’s automotive sector, the Chairman of the organising committee of NAISU, Femi Owoeye, said, “Initiating this summit is vital, especially at this moment in history when Nigeria is struggling to map its way out of the prevailing global economic despair. Being one of the drivers of the global economy, the automobile industry, if given the necessary impetus in Nigeria, is capable of transforming the country into an automotive manufacturing hub in Africa.
“To this end, the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit shall annually produce significant information compost that would help the government to make it happen. That is why the maiden event is themed: Reviving Nigeria’s Economy through the Automotive Sector.”
On his part, the Chairman of NAJA, Mike Ochonma, said, “Significantly, the summit shall bridge the information and communication gap between the nation’s auto industry stakeholders and relevant government agencies.
“Moreover, annually, the summit shall give a single and united voice for the auto industry leaders to set developmental agenda aimed at kick-starting and driving relevant government policies towards a sustainable development of the automotive industry in Nigeria and ultimately position the country as a frontline beneficiary of the African Free Trade Agreement Area.”
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
