The Nigerian Government, through the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has announced significant plans to initiate the local manufacturing of 10 essential vehicle spare parts.
This initiative aims to reduce the nation’s reliance on spare parts imports, which currently costs the country approximately $1 billion annually.
The NADDC Director General Joseph Osanipin, shared this update during an event in Abuja that marked the conclusion of a two-week training program for auto engineers focused on automotive design skills using Midas NFX software. The training, organized in partnership with South Korea’s Midas IT Co., successfully trained 15 participants in advanced automotive design techniques.
Represented by Fidelis Achiv, the Director of the Directorate of Research Design and Development, Osanipin highlighted the council’s readiness to produce spare parts for over 11 million vehicles currently on Nigerian roads. He emphasized the goal of increasing local assembly components from less than one percent to 40 percent, transforming the automotive industry in Nigeria.
“We aim to reach a point where vehicle assembly includes up to 40 percent locally manufactured components,” Osanipin stated. “Currently, many assembled vehicles arrive as completely built units, with minimal local value added. Our vision is to shift to a model where vehicles come in unpainted, with welding and some component production taking place locally. This approach will not only enhance value but also create more job opportunities.”
Osanipin noted that, out of the more than 3,000 parts in a vehicle, producing just 10 key components could have a substantial impact. “If we can produce these components at a competitive level, the market potential will be enormous, leading to significant economic transformation,” he added.
The training program’s objective was to equip engineers with the skills necessary to design and produce automotive parts, thereby fostering self-sufficiency in Nigeria’s vehicle parts production.
Managing Director of FAZSAL Nigeria Limited Abdul-Lawal Zubair, encouraged the participants to leverage their training to innovate within the automotive sector. “You have gained practical insights into design; now it’s time to solve real industry challenges,” he urged. “Your knowledge of Midas NFX can set you apart, and I encourage you to be innovative in your approach.”
Participant Lukman expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the knowledge gained. “This training has expanded my understanding of design and analysis,” he said. “Midas NFX has provided me with the tools to optimize designs and encourage creativity in our production efforts. Our focus should be on creating what we consume and maximizing local production.”
