Posted by Justtours News
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment in Nigeria, Senator John Owan Enoh is expected to grace the 2025 Nigerian Auto Industry Summit (NAISU) being organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in conjunction with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC). Enoh will declare the summit open as a special guest of honour.
Figures from relevant regulatory agencies have already reaffirmed their readiness to be part of the programme.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NADDC and the National Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), are among those gearing up to take active part in the annual event.
The summit, which will be taking place in Lagos on July 31, 2025, with theme titled ‘Nigeria First: Local Content as Catalyst for Automotive Economy.’
It aims to serve as a strategic platform for engaging key players across the value chain such as government officials, manufacturers, investors, auto assemblers, transport unions, and the media thus charting a sustainable course for the Nigerian auto sector.
It is believed that their commitment signals growing consensus on the need for coordinated efforts to reposition the local automotive industry, according to a statement by NAJA.
Speaking ahead of the summit, the Director General of NADDC, Mr. Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, described the summit as “a critical convergence point for charting a practical roadmap to revive and strengthen the local automotive ecosystem.
“The Nigerian Auto Industry Summit is coming at a time when collaborative thinking is most needed. We are proud to support NAJA’s initiative in bringing industry players together to address the regulatory, infrastructural, and investment gaps stalling our automotive development,” Osanipin also said.
In the same vein,
a senior official of NAMA, Ben Ejendu also
stressed the summit’s potential to harmonize policy and practice within the sector.
“There is a widening gap between policy formulation and practical implementation. NAISU offers a unique opportunity to align government expectations with industry realities. NAMA will be actively involved and will present relevant data and policy papers at the event,” he noted.
NAJA Chairman, Mr. Theodore Opara, said the summit is designed to move beyond traditional dialogue.
“We’re not organising another talk -show. NAISU is built on evidence-based analysis, outcome-driven sessions, and meaningful cross-sectoral collaboration. It will feature both local and international stakeholders, including automakers, regulators, component suppliers, and the press,” he explained.
Chairman of the NAISU Planning Committee, Mike Ochonma, confirmed that senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Ministry of Transport, and SON, as well as automotive brands with Nigerian operations, are expected to participate.
The one-day event will feature keynote addresses, breakout panels, industry exhibitions, and networking sessions.
As momentum builds up, expectations are high that NAISU will help reposition Nigeria’s auto industry for future competitiveness, drive investments, and encourage stronger local content development.
Observers say that with the level of institutional buy-in and the quality of dialogue expected, the summit could emerge as a turning point for Nigeria’s quest to become an automotive manufacturing hub in Africa.
