By Theodore Opara

Worried by the slow pace of development in the nation’s automobile industry, the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association, NAJA, is organising a one day summit to address the problem of the sector.

The Nigeria Auto Industry Summit, NAISU which is the maiden edition in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, and stakeholders in the industry.

According to the chairman of the organizing committee, Mr. Femi Owoeye, the summit is scheduled to hold at Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, June 27th, 2024, NAISU is envisioned as an annual flagship event of the country’s automotive industry to rally all stakeholders together to explore the great potential in the automotive sector for national development.

The maiden edition of NAISU, which is expected to be declared open by the Minister of Industry, Trade and investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, has as theme: Reviving Nigeria’s Economy through the Automotive Sector, and 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 a delegation of  the  African Association of Automotive Manufacturers, AAAM from South Africa, 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, Chairman, 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 to an automotive manufacturing hub in Africa.

“To this end, 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, 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.”