Photo Caption
L-R: Head, Sectoral and Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria/Rep of the Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Ms Oluchi Odimuko; Executive Director, Motorcycle Subgroup of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Reverend Lambert Ekewuba; Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Mr. Joseph Osanipin; Chairman, Motor Vehicle and Miscellaneous Assembly Sectoral Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Elder Robert Ugbaja, esq; and GM, Honda Manufacturing Nigeria. Mr. Olabode Badejo at the event
By Favour Igaga
The Direct General of the National Automotive Design & Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin has declared that, to truly unlock the sector’s potential and ensure its enduring growth, a paradigm shift towards local components production is not just desirable but essential.
Osanipin made the declaration during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election of new excos of the Motorcycle Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) key stakeholders in the country’s motorcycle and 3-wheeler industry.
The NADDC stated that the theme of the address, “Local Components Production as the Key to Sustainable Growth of Nigeria’s Motorcycle and 3-Wheeler Auto Industry,” resonates deeply with the core mandate of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
According to him, this is not just a topic for discussion; it is a call to action, a roadmap for the future of this vital sector.
The motorcycle and 3-wheeler industry, he pointed out, occupies a unique and crucial position within Nigeria’s transportation ecosystem.
It provides affordable mobility for millions of Nigerians, facilitating trade, commerce, and access to essential services, particularly in areas where conventional transportation is limited the sector’s significant contribution to our national economy is deeply acknowledged, he noted.
However, the current structure of the industry, characterized by a heavy reliance on imported components, presents a significant challenge to its long-term sustainability and resilience.
This dependence he regretted exposes the industry to vulnerabilities such as foreign exchange fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and a lack of indigenous technological development.
In achieving the above mentioned milestones, the NADDC boss pointed out that increasing local content in the manufacturing of motorcycles and 3-wheelers will catalyze a chain reaction of positive outcomes.
In his keynote address, the Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir described the gathering as both a statutory engagement and a strategic forum that represents the voice, vision, and vitality of a subsector that is critical to Nigeria’s industrial growth and mobility ecosystem.
The MAN DG extolled the various moves by the NADDC to move the automotive industry forward and commitment to the development of Nigeria’s auto sector within the past 18 months he assumed office.
“Since you assumed office, we have witnessed renewed energy in policy conversations and programmatic interventions aimed at repositioning the industry. We commend your valuable contributions thus far”, he said.
Segun Ajayi-Kadir also reiterated the urgent need for a more inclusive and supportive Nigerian Automotive Policy; one that not only champions local content and indigenous brands but also intentionally includes all sub-sectors of the automotive value chain, including motorcycles and tricycles.
According to him, MOMAN’s ingenuity powers first- and last-mile transport, generates employment, and enhances access to goods and services nationwide, adding that under the leadership of Olusegun Adekoya as Chairman, MOMAN has deepened its voice in national industrial discourse.
He commended efforts in sustaining production, creating jobs, and navigating the regulatory and infrastructural hurdles that continue to challenge operating environment.
He charged the incoming exco to not only engage policy stakeholders but also to drive strategic investments, build local capacity, and open up new frontiers for growth in the vital subsector.
“MAN stands firmly with you in advocating for policy reforms that encourage component localization, protect domestic assembly from the pressures of unchecked imports, and create an ecosystem where indigenous manufacturers can thrive”, he said.
He appreciated the contributions of the guest speaker, Mr. Robert Ugbaja, Esq., Chairman of the Motor Vehicle and Miscellaneous Assembly Sectoral Group of MAN, for his unwavering leadership, guidance, and consistent advocacy.
In his vote of thanks, Rev Lambert Ekewuba, Executive Director of MOMAN, while thanking all dignitaries at the event, listed a number of key issues he had observed affecting the 2 and 3 wheeler market.
According to him “One, there are many brief case importers who masquerade as Motorcycle Manufacturers but do not have the interest of developing the industry, their interest is just the immediate profit they make from the sales of motorcycles.
“Two, there is no strong advocacy from the association because the CEOs of the member companies are not showing much interest in the activities of MOMAN like attending meetings and lack of co-operation from every one to make MOMAN a better Association. Three, lack of a strong voice for Motorcycles and Tricycles industry in Nigeria”.
